Solicitor General urges legal executives to seek judicial appointment
The Solicitor General has urged chartered legal executives to apply for judicial appointment in a bid to help make the bench more diverse. At the same time, a Sikh circuit judge told them that those entering the law from a non-traditional background had to have the mindset that they are better than those from a traditional one.
Solicitor who received referral fees while on employment benefit struck off
A personal injury solicitor convicted of benefit fraud after being paid for case referrals while receiving employment support allowance has been struck off. He was convicted of dishonestly failing to promptly notify the Department for Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances which he knew would affect his entitlement to benefit.
Give the next generation of women a hand up, QC urges female barristers
Female barristers need to actively encourage and mentor the next generation of women at the Bar amid the continuing difficulties of achieving equality, a leading silk said last week. Jo Delahunty QC said it was the responsibility of those who have climbed the ladder “to lean down to offer a hand for others to hold as they try and climb up”.
High-powered group of legal and constitutional experts to consider rule of law implications of Brexit Bill
The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law has put together a high-powered group of 26 legal, constitutional and other experts under the chairmanship of former Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC MP to consider the implications of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill for the rule of law.
Hale backs public funding for early legal advice while outlining concern over LSB reform plan
The new president of the Supreme Court yesterday joined what appears to be a growing clamour to reinstate public funding to provide early legal advice. Lady Hale also reiterated her concern about the possible downgrading of the objective in legal regulation to encourage an “independent, strong, diverse and effective legal profession”.
BSB eyes rule change to encourage reporting of members’ sexual orientation by chambers
The Bar Standards Board is to consult on removing the rule that allows one person to veto their chambers reporting anonymised data on the sexual orientation, religion and belief of all members, in a move it said was supported by LGBT+ members of the Bar.
When the Shine wears off – listed law firm faces shareholder class action
Shine Lawyers, the personal injury law firm that followed Slater & Gordon into listing on the Australian Stock Exchange, now finds itself on the receiving end of a shareholder class action, just like Slater & Gordon. The A$250m (£149m) action alleges that Shine misled investors in a series of representations it made to the market.
ABS round-up: Riverview breaks new ground by schooling trainees in technology, and much more
Riverview Law has become the first law firm to offer its trainee solicitors a six-month seat in technology services, having obtained approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority. We also have news from ABSs Co-operative Legal Services, Express Solicitors, Keoghs, gunnercooke, Gateley and Astute Dynamic – with diversification a notable theme.
SDT allows solicitor who failed to pay insurance premiums and went bankrupt to return to practice
A solicitor who was suspended indefinitely after failing to pay his firm’s indemnity insurance premiums and later became bankrupt has been allowed to return to the profession by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. Imposing conditions to prevent him managing a firm, the SDT said the bankruptcy had wiped out the debt relating to the insurance premiums.
LSB removes run-off obstacle to firms switching regulators
The Legal Services Board has approved a rule change by the Solicitors Regulation Authority which will make it easier for law firms to switch regulators. In a move which is likely to see more firms leave the SRA than join it, the requirement that they must obtain six years of run-off cover before switching to another regulator will be removed.
