LSB agrees to limit price transparency to public access barristers
The Legal Services Board has approved Bar Standards Board plans which will require public access barristers, but not other self-employed barristers, to publish fees for routine legal services on their websites.
Peers back greater role for Lord Chief in online court rules
Former Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge yesterday defeated government efforts to limit the extent to which future holders of the post will have a veto over the work of the online procedure rule committee.
Global report: in-house teams “falling behind” on innovation
General counsel need to embrace technology and innovate in a “seismic” way if they are to endure an increasing bright spotlight from businesses eager to reduce their costs, a report from EY has argued.
Solicitor took £2m of client money in pursuit of “lottery win”
A former senior partner who plundered £2m from his firm’s client accounts as well as both private and charitable trusts after falling victim to a lottery scam has been thrown out of the profession.
Regulator considers cap on fees charged by personal injury CMCs
The Financial Conduct Authority is to explore whether to use its power to cap the fees charged by personal injury claims management companies, it has emerged.
Digital conveyancing used to market high-value commercial property
The march of blockchain-backed property transactions accelerated this week when a high-value commercial building went on the market with online execution offered by a digital estate agent.
AI-backed contract review “decodes obscure language”
Artificial intelligence has been deployed to bridge the gap between ‘legalease’ and plain English, standardising something that has long been the exclusive preserve of lawyers.
Exclusive: Unregulated virtual firm granted SRA waiver
An unregulated version of a ‘dispersed’ or ‘virtual’ law firm has been granted a waiver by the SRA so that its solicitors can practise under their professional titles, Legal Futures can reveal.
PII reform views “evolving” due to market changes
There are powerful reasons why the SRA and Law Society could reverse their positions respectively in favour of and against reform of professional indemnity insurance, it has been claimed.
SRA chair pledges greater transparency – but not to reopen meetings
The chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority has set out plans for its board to work in an open and “accountable” way – but its board meetings remain closed to outside scrutiny.
