In-house lawyers will have to deliver more for less, survey finds
Almost two-thirds of in-house legal departments are predicting increased workloads, despite most anticipating no increase in staff numbers and almost half expecting budget cuts.
Solicitors fined for failing to prevent £3.3m property fraud
Two directors of an alternative business structure have been fined for not supervising a branch office where a fellow director and a bogus solicitor carried out a £3.3m property fraud.
Latest figures confirm low take-up by LiPs of whiplash portal
Low numbers of litigants in person, two law firms dominating claims, and solicitors using the wrong portal have been features of the early days of the whiplash reforms.
SRA fines six firms for failing to provide AML compliance declaration
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published details of fines levied against six law firms for failing to confirm in time that they had a compliant anti-money laundering firm-wide risk assessment.
Signs of progress as courts support barrister’s childcare responsibilities
A barrister has spoken about her “really positive” recent experiences of courts accommodating “the practicalities and balancing acts being carried out by those with children”.
Lawyer pair behind Anexo set to pocket another £61m
The two lawyers behind Anexo Group PLC will pocket at least £61m from selling their remaining stakes in the business if a proposed takeover goes through, having made £46m earlier this year.
Solicitor who charged £9,000 for doing nothing is struck off
A solicitor who charged a client’s estate fees of over £9,000 during a period of “complete inactivity” has been struck off. He was both its executor and residuary beneficiary.
Structured data format a “great step forward” for digital contracts
The Master of the Rolls has hailed the launch of a universal structured data format for the creation of digital contracts as a “great step forward”.
Media law firm’s 200-person IP protection spin-off is sold
An online brand protection provider spun out of leading media law firm Wiggin has been sold to a company which helps brands manage their intellectual property globally.
Licensed conveyancers review insurance scheme as market hardens
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has announced a review of its professional indemnity insurance arrangements in light of a hardening market for cover.
