Compliance & Regulation
SRA outlines specific regulation for law firms using litigation funding
Law firms arranging or using third-party litigation funding for consumer claims will have to tell the SRA about it, under plans unveiled today.
Lawyers “could be negligent” for failing to use AI
Lawyers and other professionals can be sued for negligence for failing to use AI, according to the latest legal statement from the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce.
New protocol for reporting bullying and harassment by judges
A new protocol to help legal professionals raise concerns about bullying, harassment and discrimination by judges has been launched by the senior judiciary.
City solicitor charged with five counts of insider dealing
The Financial Conduct Authority has charged a City solicitor with five counts of insider dealing while working on a listed company’s acquisition.
Most consumers think they should keep interest from client accounts
A majority of clients believe that they should keep interest earned on client accounts, research for the Legal Services Consumer Panel has found.
Legal Ombudsman: Targets missed but getting better
The Legal Ombudsman continued to miss its key timeliness targets over the last year – but by less than the previous 12 months, its annual report has shown.
Barrister disbarred for multiple motoring offences
A barrister convicted of drink driving before the pandemic and twice convicted of driving while disqualified five years later has been disbarred.
Solicitor who closed firm used client money to shop at Morrisons
A solicitor who repeatedly failed to complete a firm closure notification – whilst holding onto his clients’ files, wills and money after his practice shut down – has been suspended.
SRA: “Major shortcomings” in high-volume consumer claim work
The SRA is developing materials to help law firms handling high-volume consumer claims improve how they onboard clients after major research showed significant shortcomings.
SRA outlines further tightening of complaints-handling rules
New rules requiring law firms to give clients a timeline for resolving complaints they have made, and provide regular updates, have been proposed by the SRA.
KC wins appeal against disbarment over Oxford University lie
The High Court has overturned the disbarment of a barrister who lied in an interview and on a CV 13 years ago that he had attended Oxford University.
Solicitor suspended for offensive comments and bottom pinching
A former partner at a City law firm has been suspended for a year after he made antisemitic, racist and sexualised comments to junior colleagues.
PM Law’s finance chief disqualified over missing client money
The longstanding HOFA at PM Law was involved in moving money from its client accounts and then fabricated the bank balances.
KC to face contempt hearing over closing speech
The KC accused of not following court directions in his closing speech on behalf of a Palestine Action activist is to face contempt proceedings.
Partner transferred £700,000 to client “to avoid negligence claim”
A former partner in a London law firm transferred almost £700,000 of his own money to a client company to avoid a negligence claim.
Blog
When AI becomes a line on the client’s bill
On 23 June, Legora changed how it charges. The platform announced that its most capable product was moving away from a flat per-seat licence fee to consumption-based pricing
Which legal AI will still matter in 12 months?
Four years ago, when senior partners asked me which legal AI they should buy, I would have walked them through a vendor comparison. Now I tell them the question is wrong.
Supreme Court redraws line between member and employee in LLPs
For anyone advising professional services firms on LLP structuring, and of course for those in LLPs themselves, last week’s Supreme Court ruling is an essential read.
