Standard of proof: SRA “already most successful prosecutor”
The SRA enjoys the “highest prosecution success rate of any regulator we have found”, making it unnecessary to lower the standard of proof, the Law Society has said.
Proptech newcomer wins funding for conveyancing service
A proptech pioneer aiming to create a data-driven escrow service for conveyancers is exploring the use of blockchain security and is considering white-labelling its product.
Bar Council targets chambers’ “ineffective” harassment policies
The Bar Council is to publish new guidance for barristers and chambers on dealing with sexual harassment, amid claims that many chambers’ existing policies are “wholly ineffective”.
Law firm owned by 18 partners’ companies among new waivers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued 23 waivers from its rules under a new policy – 18 of which have gone to sole practitioner law firms which together make up another firm’s partnership.
Solicitors’ firms starting to switch regulator
Solicitors’ firms are moving their whole practices or conveyancing departments to the oversight of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, it has emerged.
Call to protect compliance officers who report solicitors to SRA
There should be specific protection against victimisation for compliance officers who report their solicitors to their regulator, the Law Society has argued.
SRA wins £700k government grant to support firms using AI
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has won a £700,000 award from the government to accelerate the ideas of law firms and others to improve access to justice using AI.
Panel blasts ICAEW’s approach to probate prices
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has strongly criticised the “insufficient” plans of the second largest probate regulator to introduce new requirements on publishing prices.
Lawyers need to see benefits of innovation, says guru
If there is one thing a law firm can do to achieve buy-in from lawyers sceptical of the need for change, it is show clients saying they have rewarded an innovative approach, the author of a major book has said.
Top firms back IT platform hoping to set global standards
Three top City law firms have joined a high-powered international consortium to launch a platform that aims to set industry standards for the use of AI, smart contracts and other new tech.
