Inns of Court to re-enter training market with new Bar course
The Inns of Court are to re-enter the student training market and become the first to unveil plans to deliver the new Bar training course at a price 30% cheaper than the current BPTC as it is not-for-profit.
McFarlane eyes national wellbeing standards for family lawyers
A national template of working practices in the family courts – dealing with issues such as how late lawyers can email each other – could be developed to protect their wellbeing, a top judge has said.
Court service starts another video hearing pilot running
A pilot enabling domestic abuse victims to take part in hearings by video link from a computer in their solicitor’s office has begun running in Manchester – the fourth started in recent weeks.
Financial problems force major legal charity to close doors
A major London-based legal charity has shut its doors due to a worsening financial position, not long after unveiling ambitions for greater national coverage and digital services.
Nally speaks out against greater fining powers for SRA
The president of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has outlined his opposition to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s campaign for greater powers to fine errant solicitors.
Written pupillage agreements to reduce “inappropriate behaviour”
Making written pupillage agreements compulsory could reduce the risk of pupil barristers being subjected to “inappropriate behaviour”, the Bar Standards Board has said.
Call for greater transparency over small claims portal
MPs on the justice select committee have been urged to press the Ministry of Justice for information about the development of the small claims portal to be made public.
Firm that made staff redundant by text “broke law”
A law firm that made its staff redundant by text message has been ordered by an employment tribunal to make a protective award of 90 days’ pay to one of them.
SDT president warns over “venting spleen” on social media
The president of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has warned practitioners that they cannot just “vent their spleen” on social media with impunity without risking consequences for their careers.
SRA investigates 26 law firms in money laundering crackdown
The SRA has referred 26 firms offering trust and company services to its disciplinary team after a review said a “significant minority” of practices were failing to do enough to tackle money laundering.
