Law ahead of other sectors in AI adoption and ambition
The use of artificial intelligence is more widespread in the law than in other sectors, and IT chiefs see more applications for it in the future, a survey has found. It said that 55% of senior IT decision makers in law firms have adopted predictive coding and 48% machine learning technologies.
PwC Legal to be absorbed into accountancy firm’s wider business
PwC – the first of the ‘big four’ accountants to gain an alternative business structure (ABS) licence – has become a true multi-disciplinary practice by merging its connected law firm into the wider business, in a move that has been welcomed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Dentons pilots predictive litigation technology
Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, is trialing software that helps to predict the likely course, cost, length and outcome of litigation, Legal Futures can reveal. The strategic adviser to its NextLaw Labs subsidiary said that so far its lawyers have been “really impressed” with the results.
Sanctions for trainee who misled clients and the court over progress of litigation
A trainee solicitor who misled clients that their claims were being progressed when they had actually been struck out, and also sought to mislead the court, has accepted a rebuke and £1,000 fine to avoid a referral to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Conveyancers “failing to differentiate themselves from competitors”, mystery shop finds
Law firms are missing a key opportunity to differentiate themselves against online providers of residential conveyancing because they fail to deal with telephone enquiries properly, a report that includes three years of research in has found.
SRA review of “successful” personal injury sector to clean out bad practices
The personal injury sector has been a “huge success story”, the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s executive director of strategic planning and performance has said, but the regulator wants to weed out the bad conduct that exists from claimant and defendant lawyers alike.
High Court rejects solicitor’s bid to judicially review Bar Standards Board
A solicitor who made multiple complaints against two barristers who acted for the claimant in litigation in which he was a defendant, has failed in an application to judicially review the Bar Standards Board’s (BSB) decision to dismiss the complaints.
Exclusive: James Caan exits law firm investment
Leading investor James Caan has sold his stake in Staffordshire-based law firm Knights Professional Services, Legal Futures can reveal. Mr Caan invested in Knights in 2012, since when the firm has grown its turnover from £8m to £40m and added complementary services to its core legal offering.
Third time unlucky before the SDT as criminal law solicitor is suspended
An experienced criminal lawyer has been suspended for five years by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal after twice being fined for previous accounts rule breaches. The tribunal said the misconduct was due to the solicitor “placing his head in the sand and due to his ineptitude and unacceptable practice”.
Solicitors allowed to practise from unregulated firms “could face pressure to compromise professional obligations”
Solicitors could “come under pressure to compromise their professional obligations” if they are allowed to operate from unregulated firms where they are outnumbered, according to the author of the first academic study of compliance officers for legal practice.
