BSB paves way to lower standard of proof in disciplinary matters
The Bar Standards Board has opened the way to replace the criminal standard of proof in disciplinary matters with the civil standard, in a move that could well ripple across the profession amid growing pressure to adopt the civil standard uniformly.
High Court rejects appeal from barrister accused of forging letters
A barrister accused of forging client care letters has lost an appeal against his disbarment at the High Court. Mrs Justice Lang rejected Damian McCarthy’s argument that a Bar disciplinary tribunal was under pressure from the Bar Standards Board to convict him.
Court of Appeal orders controversial firm to compensate ex-miner for negligence
The Court of Appeal has overturned a ruling that Raleys – the controversial but now defunct Barnsley law firm – should not have to compensate a miner who argued that its admitted negligence had caused him to settle a claim at an undervalue. Otherwise, it would be “far too easy for negligent solicitors to raise huge obstacles to claimants”.
ABS targets continued expansion as ‘second cities’ strategy and non-legal services see turnover rocket
Fast-growing alternative business structure Knights Professional Services is on the look-out for its next acquisition and ‘second city’ location – as well as more non-legal services – after unveiling an increase of more than 60% in turnover over the past year to £33.5m.
Inmate wins damages after prisons open legally privileged letters
A prisoner has been awarded damages after officers at three different prisons where he was held opened legally privileged letters addressed to him. Sitting in the High Court, His Honour Judge McKenna said the fear of having his mail opened and read had deterred the inmate from pursuing his rights.
Slater & Gordon yet to pay any deferred consideration to Quindell vendor
Slater & Gordon has yet to pay the company that used to be Quindell any deferred consideration from the 53,000 noise-induced hearing loss cases it bought, it emerged yesterday. It has also not launched the legal action against Watchstone Group that it announced seven months ago.
Law firm fee income up by 6%, benchmarking survey finds
The financial performance of smaller law firms has improved over last year, with both fee income and profits up significantly above inflation, according to an annual benchmarking survey published this week. Very little increase in salary costs, improved lock-up, and reductions in both WIP and debtor days contributed to the positive picture.
Report: unmet legal need puts heat on MPs’ surgeries
Constituents are increasingly seeing legal advice at MPs’ surgeries, while more than a third of legal problems involve housing and almost a quarter immigration, according to an assessment of unmet legal need in London. MPs across the political spectrum had become aware of rising legal need, it found.
Exclusive: Family Law Café goes live with lawyer ‘mentors’ to help clients navigate their cases
A novel online family law service that uses experienced lawyers to mentor and manage clients through the legal process has gone live. Family Law Café is the brainchild of Joanna Toch, a barrister at Church Court Chambers in London, and she has secured financial backing from private individuals, including corporate lawyers.
SQE will be of “similar difficulty” to US bar exam – as it draws very mixed response from profession and educators
The solicitors qualifying examination (SQE) is likely to be of similar difficulty to the test American lawyers have to pass to qualify, but may actually seem harder to those taking it, according to the body that develops licensing tests for bar admission in the US.
