All News focus articles
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NewsIn depth: Irish language to be used in Northern Ireland courts
In a ‘historic and monumental achievement’, Irish can now be used in Northern Ireland’s courts. But questions remain about how this will affect the administration of justice.
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NewsAnalysis: Elite US firms attacked by Trump face a dilemma
Donald Trump has unleashed a blizzard of attacks against law firms he has deemed inimical to his cause. With independence and the rule of law at stake, there are calls for the profession to show a united front.
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NewsIn depth: Lifeline for LawtechUK as Master of the Rolls hails 'world leader'
As the government threw a lifeline to LawtechUK, Sir Geoffrey Vos declared that the sector can become a serious competitor to the US. But little cash is flowing into access to justice ventures.
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NewsIn depth: Risk and compliance conference - AML, ethics and workplace culture
The Law Society’s risk and compliance conference last week heard that compliance officers must surmount an ever growing number of hurdles.
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NewsIn depth: Benchmarking survey - client interest profit warning
Law firms buoyed by interest on client money must ‘wean themselves off’ this lucrative income stream. That is a key message of the annual Law Society Financial Benchmarking Survey.
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NewsIn depth: Arbitration Act - new rules put UK ahead
An updated Arbitration Act not only ‘safeguards the UK’s reputation for excellence’, but also reinforces its international credentials. With a wary eye on the competition, practitioners welcome the act’s clarity.
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NewsIn depth: Litigation funding - does the cap fit?
As the Civil Justice Council completes its review of litigation funding, the Law Society’s preference for self-regulation is at odds with the clamour elsewhere for statutory oversight and caps on returns
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NewsIn depth: Eight-year Mastercard saga rumbles on
The Competition Appeal Tribunal has approved a £200m settlement in the massive Merricks v Mastercard collective action. But new battles loom over card processing fees and the funder’s return.
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NewsIn depth: Law Commission issues proposals on reforming criminal appeals
Replacing the CCRC’s ‘real possibility’ test and elevating more cases to the Supreme Court are among Law Commission proposals.
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NewsIn depth: Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre is falling apart
Leaky roof, missing tiles, inadequate security...the Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre is not fit for purpose. The centre’s decrepitude touches raw nerves in Westminster’s relationship with Wales.
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NewsIn depth: AI regulation falters as UK snubs international accord
Legal controls over development and use of artificial intelligence hit an obstacle last week, as the US and UK refused to back a statement in support of AI regulation signed by 60 other countries.
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NewsIn depth: Legal policy forum highlights new diversity and inclusion initiatives
The UK’s legal sector is continuing to champion diversity, equality and inclusion programmes as major US corporations, including professional advisory firms, begin to row back on their pledges.
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NewsIn depth: Should solicitors hold client money?
Would it be simpler and safer if law firms didn’t hold client money? That is one proposal in a landmark SRA consultation on client protection which closes later this month. Solicitors are sceptical.
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NewsIn depth: AI revolution is 'inevitable' - the challenge is to embrace it ethically
The master of the rolls was preaching to the converted at the latest LawtechUK event. His message was clear: artificial intelligence is here to stay and the profession should be prepared to embrace it.
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NewsIn depth: Green light for international convention on safeguarding lawyers
As last month’s Day of the Endangered Lawyer highlighted oppression in Belarus, the Council of Europe discussed a ‘raft of protections’ for lawyers, embodied in a unique draft convention.
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NewsIn depth: Are defence lawyers rushing too readily to 'fundamental dishonesty' allegations?
Claimant lawyers say accusations of fundamental dishonesty are being used as a tactic to bully clients, with few consequences if they fail. A solution to strike the right balance could be found in costs.
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NewsIn depth: Gauke's sentencing review - what he should recommend
David Gauke’s sentencing review must complement Sir Brian Leveson’s review of the courts if the government is going to come up with a holistic prescription for criminal justice.
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NewsIn depth: MoJ to review computer evidence - but what is it?
The most widespread miscarriage of justice in British history demonstrated the fallibility of evidence produced by software. But the Ministry of Justice will not find it easy to redraw the boundaries.
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NewsIn depth: Journalists test scope of family court transparency initiative
The family court’s transparency drive is being tested as journalists seek to overturn an order restraining the identification of judges involved in proceedings relating to the murdered Sara Sharif.
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NewsIn depth: Class action bandwagon checked
The runaway growth of collective proceedings has prompted a rearguard action from business lobbyists. Developments in landmark cases including Mastercard and Apple may also slow the juggernaut.