Former cabinet minister to chair IP regulator
The Intellectual Property Regulation Board has unveiled Lord Smith of Finsbury – better known as the former Labour cabinet minister Chris Smith – as its new chair.
MyLegalAdviser seeks funding for “dramatic growth”
Lawyer-matching service MyLegalAdviser is seeking investment to expand from 100 firms in and around London to 1,000 across the country, its founder has said.
FCA will have power to cap personal injury CMCs’ fees
The Financial Conduct Authority will have the power to cap the fees of personal injury CMCs, although there is currently no need, says the Treasury.
Video hearings “will not supplant” face-to-face, says HMCTS
Video hearings will not supplant face-to-face hearings in the majority of cases before the courts, even after their use is expanded, the deputy director of HMCTS has predicted.
Client bid to stop £33,000 repayment to law firm fails
A client who received a mistaken payment of £177,000 from a law firm and only paid back £144,000 has failed to overturn a judgment in default.
Barrister fined for failing to follow instructions
An experienced criminal law barrister has been fined by a disciplinary tribunal for failing to apply for a forfeiture order on behalf of his client.
Solicitor falsely billed law firms to feed cocaine habit
A solicitor who was convicted of fraudulently submitting false invoices for police station work to fund his cocaine habit has been struck off.
NDA furore: Employment lawyers back more ethics training
Employment lawyers support targeted ethical training in the wake of the furore over NDAs, while the Bar Standards Board is to issue guidance on their use.
Law firms face £6m negligence claim from property investors
Two law firms have been facing multiple claims worth nearly £6m from disgruntled investors who lost money on hotels and student accommodation that were never built.
California considers leading way in US on non-lawyer owners
The State Bar of California has been urged to take the lead in the US in allowing non-lawyers to invest in and own law firms. It has agreed to set up a task force to investigate.
