All News focus articles – Page 9
-
News
News focus: SLAPPS 'could turn UK into pariah state'
The government insists it will ‘get around to’ legislating on strategic litigation against public participation, but lawyers warn that action is needed quickly or the UK risks becoming a ‘pariah state’.
-
News
News focus: What now for the bar?
‘Future-proofing the bar’ was the theme of this year’s Bar Conference, but how financially sustainable are chambers? Accurate fee estimates and a commitment to equality and diversity are critical.
-
News
News focus: Clock is ticking for legal clarity on digital securities
Sir Geoffrey Vos envisages England and Wales as a magnet for the global crypto-economy. But the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce’s drive to set out the legal position on digital securities must address statutory rules.
-
News
News focus: Legal aid pay rises would stoke inflation - Raab
With the government set to unveil its full response to the Bellamy legal aid review, lord chancellor Dominic Raab says extra cash for solicitors is unlikely. The prospect of industrial action still looms,
-
News
News focus: Legal perspectives on the draft Mental Health Bill
There are concerns that ‘once in a generation’ Mental Health Act reforms do not go far enough in protecting patient rights. To what extent should tribunals and the courts be handed more powers?
-
News
News focus: Autumn statement - what it means for solicitors
The chancellor’s announcement of a further real-terms cut to the justice budget has left the sector facing ‘systemic failure’, says the Law Society. There are no more ‘savings’ to be made.
-
News
News focus: COLPs and COFAs convene in Birmingham
A worsening economic climate was high on the agenda at the annual COLPs and COFAs conference – and delegates heard that a single regulator for legal services remains an aspiration at Westminster.
-
News
News focus: IBA 2022 - A letter from America
The cost-of-living crisis felt far removed from the lavish parties at the international bar conference, where delegates were reminded of the power and responsibility of working in the legal sector.
-
News
News focus: MPs deliver blueprint for open justice
As MPs set out a bold vision for open justice incorporating AI transcription and court documents available via a digital portal, Sir Bob Neill declares that such access is ‘our democratic right’.
-
News
News focus: Ukraine looms large at IBA conference
In a video address to the International Bar Association, Ukraine president calls on lawyers to bring to justice ‘those guilty of terror’ and declares ‘this is a chance to establish the force of international law’.
-
News
News focus: Economic crime 'enablers' in bill committee's spotlight
MPs are ramping up the rhetoric on economic crime, amid fears new legislation to combat fraud does not go far enough. Lawyers are once again in their sights as ‘facilitators’ of illegal activity and tax dodging.
-
News
News focus: Landmark report probes Black partner shortfall
Only 1% of partners at the country’s biggest firms identify as Black. A new report for Black History Month highlights some of the reasons why and offers a blueprint for action.
-
News
News focus: Post Office inquiry probes role played by lawyers
The Post Office Horizon Inquiry has begun poring over one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British history – and the role played by in-house and external lawyers is under intense scrutiny.
-
News
News focus: HM Land Registry delays mount as solicitors fume
Conveyancers report mixed experiences when dealing with HM Land Registry but ‘shocking’ delays are a growing cause of concern. Solicitors complain that they are reduced to ‘firefighting’ for the agency.
-
News
News focus: Outgoing Society president reflects on a groundbreaking tenure
‘We are the fourth emergency service, keeping the wheels of justice turning’, says the Law Society’s longest-serving president.
-
News
News focus: 'Economic chaos' - should law firms be worried?
Law firms are insulated from economic shockwaves – until banks, other lenders and investors get cold feet. And profitable areas of work such as M&As could be hit as corporate clients retrench.
-
News
News focus: Justice on the fringes at the Conservative conference
Justice and the rule of law didn’t get much of look-in at this year’s fraught Conservative party conference. But a hardy few still endeavoured to change the conversation.
-
News
News focus: Law Society intervenes in the costs case of the century
The Law Society last week defended its 22-page model conditional fee agreement after senior judges questioned ‘impenetrable’ client documents in a landmark challenge on costs deduction
-
News
News focus: Consolidators are keen for firms to keep their identity
The ‘house of brands’ approach to mergers and acquisitions – purchasing a firm and then allowing it to keep its brand and identity under an umbrella group – is gaining in popularity.
-
News
News focus: Labour's justice agenda
Labour is honing its justice manifesto, with equality of arms at inquests top of the agenda. The party also set out its plans for neighbourhood policing and the courts. But what about legal aid?