Ministers tighten NDAs rules a little – five years after promising it
The government last week closed what campaigners called a “small loophole” to ensure that NDAs do not prevent victims from accessing legal and other advice relating to criminal conduct.
Law firm £1.3m negligence saga “does not reflect well on profession”
A City law firm has failed to strike out a £1.3m negligence claim arising from a discretionary trust it set up for a man described by a High Court judge as “serially let down” by the profession.
Bar Council issues warning over Garrick Club membership
The Bar Council said yesterday that membership of the men-only Garrick Club creates “the potential for unfair advantage” when it came to practitioners needing references to become judges.
MPs urge SRA to speed up investigation into SSB collapse
The Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to speed up its investigation into the collapse of Sheffield law firm SSB Law, MPs said this week, with one calling out “dodgy” solicitors.
Legal Services Board adds £1.75m to levy on legal profession
The Legal Services Board is set to trim back the increase in its budget for the coming year to 10%, while also approving a 7% rise in the Legal Ombudsman’s budget.
Government looks to the Netherlands for civil legal aid reform
The Dutch civil legal aid model for triaging cases, reducing bureaucracy by trusting providers and building “360-degree feedback loops” could help in England and Wales, the Ministry of Justice has been told.
Wasted costs “not the right approach” for ex-client let down by firm
The High Court has rejected an unusual application by a former client for wasted costs against a law firm which accepted its conduct of his case was “reprehensible”.
APIL drops fixed costs judicial review after government “concessions”
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has withdrawn its judicial review against the government challenging aspects of last October’s extension of fixed recoverable costs.
MPs to probe transparency and referral fees in conveyancing process
MPs are to probe whether consumers have the information they need to choose a conveyancer as well as the role of referral fees, it was announced yesterday.
Stayed OIC claims need to conclude quickly post-Rabot, say lawyers
Claimant representatives have called for Official Injury Claim cases stayed pending yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling on mixed injuries to progress quickly now that there is certainty.
