Computer says ‘guilty’ – online convictions set to become reality
Defendants will soon be able to plead guilty, be convicted and pay a penalty immediately and entirely online for certain offences, the Ministry of Justice announced yesterday as digital justice moved a step closer to reality.
Global firm deploys robots to slash time spent on legal processes
A global law firm is deploying robotic process automation software in its high-volume legal practices, in some cases reducing the time taken to complete tasks from 35 minutes to just four minutes. But it told Legal Futures that its aim was to improve efficiency, not replace people.
PI spam text company owner disqualified as a director
The director of a lead generation company that was fined £200,000 for sending out thousands of spam text messages over personal injury, PPI and other claims, has now been disqualified as a director for six years for showing “disregard for the law”.
From idea to app in two days – the lawyers and tech companies aiding Trump travel ban immigrants
A group of volunteer lawyers and software developers worked over last weekend to create a new app to help travellers impacted by the Trump administration’s ‘immigration ban’, in what has been described as a “fantastic example of rapid prototyping and iterative design”.
Bar Council launches panel of law firms to help barristers “delicately” recover unpaid fees
The Bar Council has appointed Thrings and Veale Wasborough Vizards as the first members of a new panel that will help barristers “delicately” recover unpaid fees from solicitors. More firms are expected to join the panel, and they offer a choice of payment options, including conditional fee agreements and fixed fees.
Solicitor struck off for pornography conviction but continues to run unregulated firm
An eminent tax lawyer and former partner at leading London law firms has been struck off following his conviction for multiple pornography offences – but he continues to practise from an unregulated entity. He is also a former president of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Small firms must publish complaints data, consumer panel insists
Small law firms should not be exempt from any new requirement to publish complaints data, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has argued. It said the information should be incorporated into the beefed-up ‘digital register’ planned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
MoJ “firing in wrong direction” on PI reforms, says justice committee chair
Bob Neill, Conservative MP and chairman of the justice select committee, has accused the Ministry of Justice of “firing in entirely the wrong direction” in its plans to reform low-value personal injury claims. He said the focus should be on putting claims management companies out of business.
Top crime solicitor and former GCHQ legal head sanctioned over advice after CPS complaint
One of the country’s top white-collar crime lawyers and a former head of legal affairs of GCHQ have been fined for advising a client to remove material from their premises ahead of a police search. It was the Crown Prosecution Service that complained to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Solicitor reported after personal relationship with witness raises conflict concern
A solicitor acting for a father in a care case has been reported to the Solicitors Regulation Authority after it emerged she was in a personal relationship with a witness. Her Honour Judge Cameron in Medway Family Court said it was the third occasion such an instance had occurred with this solicitor.
