Machine learning could help clients understand wills, software entrepreneur claims
Machine learning could be used to explain even the most complicated and obscure wills in plain English, a software entrepreneur has predicted. He said another development over the coming years could be the use of chatbots to handle routine enquiries.
Court of Appeal criticises firms that persuade clients to bring PI undersettlement claims
The Court of Appeal has criticised law firms which attract clients through adverts which suggest their previous solicitors may have undersettled personal injury claims. It also said there should be “a sensible limit” on what should be expected of a solicitor operating on a fixed fee in a “high volume, low cost commoditised scheme”.
Paralegal wins employment tribunal claim for £14,000 bonus from personal injury firm
A paralegal employed by a personal injury firm under an oral contract was entitled to a bonus payment worth almost £14,000, an employment tribunal has ruled. The judge said the firm could not unilaterally vary the contract that entitled the paralegal to up to 10% of profit costs above a target set at five times his gross salary.
Tribunal urges SRA to reconsider advice on solicitors entering sexual relationships with clients
The Solicitors Regulation Authority should reconsider the advice it gives to solicitors who enter into sexual relationships with clients, a tribunal has said as it fined one £8,500 for the conflict of interest such a relationship caused. He was twice told by the SRA’s ethics helpline that the only issue was whether he could provide independent and impartial advice.
Solicitors first in negligence firing line over escalating ground rent clauses, barrister warns
The furore over ground rents that double periodically is likely to lead to a “swell” in negligence claims against conveyancers, who will be “first in the firing line”, a barrister has warned. He said these leases also often have other clauses which may be considered unreasonable and so pose a negligence risk.
AI-backed start-up “will make communication between clients and lawyers easier”
A law student has become the latest entrepreneur to try and crack the problem of how to use online technology to improve the experience of consumers wanting to contact lawyers to solve their legal problems at a reasonable cost. Legista is a platform that will use artificially intelligent software to understand their matter and locate the right lawyer to deal with it.
Gateley: Being a PLC will help protect us from Brexit uncertainty
National law firm Gateley has told investors that its decision to list on the London Stock Exchange will help it withstand potential economic uncertainty caused by Brexit. Its annual report also showed that finance director Neil Smith was the top earner among the senior management in the year to 30 April 2017.
Jail for legal clerk who stole £300k of client money to fund expensive lifestyle
A long-serving clerk at a Stockport law firm and her husband have been jailed after more than £300,000 was syphoned from the firm and spent on cars and a boat among other extravagances. Rachel Swettenham, 54, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and was sentenced to four years in prison.
Innovation index suggests “more top UK law firms than US firms embracing AI”
Top UK law firms are ahead of their US counterparts in the use of artificial intelligence, an index of legal service delivery innovation has suggested. However, the creator of the Legal Services Innovation Index said it might just be that UK firms are “savvier about marketing this stuff to their clients”.
Losses continue to mount for Slater & Gordon as it plans to spin off UK operation
Slater & Gordon has announced yet another eye-watering loss for its last financial year, mainly due to yet another write-down of goodwill – this time of £215m – following the acquisition of Quindell’s professional services division. It is also to spin off its UK operation into a separate business.
