Cry freedom: New rules “strengthen regulators’ independence”
The Legal Services Board has finalised revised rules to ensure clearer separation of regulatory and representative functions at bodies like the Law Society and Bar Council.
City firm acquires legal engineering ABS Wavelength
Wavelength Law, the pioneering alternative business structure of legal engineers, has been bought by City firm Simmons & Simmons. It will introduce new services and solutions for Simmons’ clients globally.
California eyes opening up legal services to non-lawyers
California could follow the example of England and Wales in embracing non-lawyer ownership of law firms, potentially breaking the dam of opposition in America.
High Court rejects solicitor’s appeal against £15,000 fine
The High Court has rejected an appeal by a solicitor against a £15,000 fine for paying £900 from a client into his personal bank account, again testing the boundary between dishonesty and a lack of integrity.
More backing for AI contract drafting start-up
An artificial intelligence start-up whose contract-writing assistant draws on a law firm’s own body of data and teaches itself without the need for training by lawyers, has received a further £1.2m in seed funding.
Credit hire and repair costs “recoverable under new portal”
PI claimants will be able to recover credit hire and repair costs under the new regime due to come into force next April if the total value of the claim does not exceed £10,000, it has emerged.
Report calls for better regulation of criminal defence work
An “effective system” is needed for monitoring the quality of criminal defence lawyers, a report has argued, identifying the way “perverse financial incentives” bear on the provision of services.
BSB reduces publication periods for misbehaving barristers
The Bar Standards Board is to cut the length of time that sanctions imposed on misbehaving barristers appear on its website, on the Bar Register and when it responds to requests for information.
New CILEx chief calls for “equality of opportunity”
The new president of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives has called for more action to ensure equality of opportunity for his members within the legal profession.
DWF trainee loses unfair dismissal claim over confidential emails
A trainee solicitor fired by listed law firm DWF for sharing confidential client information with a friend has failed in her unfair dismissal claim before an employment tribunal.
