Jewish lawyers call for action following latest Golders Green attack
'We call on our colleagues across the legal profession, and beyond, to stand with the Jewish community.'
Stagger implementation of commonhold, Society advises government
Chancery Lane says members will need time to update systems and upskill to correctly advise on new form of home ownership.
One woman among nine new City partners at Clifford Chance
Global giant promotes 28 to top table globally, three fewer than last year.
Recruitment up as fee-sharer Keystone records profit leap
Dividend rises as Investors’ Chronicle describes listed company’s yield as ‘too good to ignore’.
SFO instructions to counsel 'not always clearly set out'
HMCPSI report into the Serious Fraud Office’s use of counsel at the pre-charge stage includes six recommendations to improve performance.
Six-office law firm announces shock closure
Administrators due to be appointed to handle affairs of full-service firm.
Struck-off solicitor wrote 'incendiary' letters in client's business dispute
High Court hears that business charged £20,000 for letter threatening further action.
Stop promising claims come at no cost, advertising watchdog tells firms
Latest surge in regulatory action against businesses sending misleading messages to potential clients.
Barrister who caused RTA death cleared to practise
Family law practitioner had admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to prison in November 2024.
Law firm mother ship AIIC Group reports underlying profit rise
New-model legal services business remains bullish despite threat of client interest seizure.
London firm wins latest High Court battle with former client over £3m bill
Court upholds Howard Kennedy’s position that interim bills were properly explained and invoiced.
New guidance for conveyancers on HMRC registration
Law Society pubishes advice for practitioners who file SDLT returns for clients ahead of 18 May deadline.
Barrister who collapsed after arriving at court drunk fined £1,000
Bar Standards Board says practitioner has abstained since and received support from chambers.
MPs urge MoD to consider letting lower ranks sit on courts martial
Commons Armed Forces Bill select committee points out that civilian juries are made up of randomly selected members of public.
Rebel MPs defeated on specialist rape courts
Courts minister Sarah Sackman says suggested amendment to Courts and Tribunals Bill would not drive down outstanding caseload or waiting times in the longer term.
What Not to Wear? Court bars bikinis and Batman costumes
New HMCTS guidance released on dressing appropriately in court.
Fletchers creates new 200-strong business with double acquisition
Leaders of private equity-backed group say they have created one of the most powerful Court of Protection teams in the country.
Family lawyers fly the FLAG for arbitration
Organisation hopes to raise public awareness of non-court dispute resolution option and become a valuable family law resource.
PI sector continues to shrink as firm buys up rival
Latest acquisition takes headcount at Express Solicitors to nearly 1,000.
Legal aid first for school exclusions
Exceptional case funding granted for the first time since High Court litigation opened the door to the safety net scheme.
Court of Appeal clears way for SDT to rehear Dentons money laundering case
Judges agree that an allegation of a breach can only be upheld if the conduct 'is sufficiently serious' - but uphold High Court's decision.
In depth: ‘Law has become a geopolitical instrument’, litigators told
War was the theme of this year’s IBA’s litigation forum, with lawyers from 60 jurisdictions discussing how the world has ‘lost its compass’.
‘Overworked’ solicitor cleared over allegations of sending misleading emails
Senior associate was ‘firefighting’ and ‘did not mislead by omission in her emails’, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal finds.
Deputy High Court judge’s ‘excessive intervention’ leads to misconduct sanction
Office holder interrupted and raised his voice to a barrister while she was making submissions.
BSB reveals multiple live investigations into Post Office barristers
Decisions likely to be made this year about whether to prosecute individuals.
Law Society proposes below-inflation PC fee increase
Chancery Lane says it will draw on reserves to limit the impact of cost pressures on solicitors.
Male applicants for Supreme Court 'more confident', says president
Lower courts inundated by 'tidal wave of claims' prompted by AI, Lord Reed also tells Lords Constitution Committee.
FCA urges firms fighting motor finance redress scheme to ‘consider their clients’
Claims firms should give clients the option of exiting the contract and 'strongly consider' waiving fees, says City watchdog.
Adoption orders are final, Supreme Court finds
Judges find the position of an adopted child is no different from that of a child and their natural parents.
UN rapporteurs demand answers on UK’s ‘intimidation’ of Hamas case solicitor
Letter raises ’serious concerns as to the independent exercise of the legal profession and the confidentiality of lawyer–client communications’.
In depth: SQE put to the test
Quality assurance has found the SQE to be ‘robust and rigorous’ despite a poll of junior lawyers finding the exam not fit for purpose.
CJC aims to end court costs disputes in Solicitors Act overhaul
Working group says landscape has been transformed since 1974 legislation that is no longer fit for purpose.
Sports firm wound up over non-payment of £421,000 order
Petition had been presented by sports consultancy which had been engaged in legal battle with firm.
Ignoring Leveson on magistrates justified, Sackman tells MPs
Courts and Tribunals Bill will enable government to increase sentencing powers via secondary legislation.
Magistrate removed from office over public criticism of court judgment
JCIO says the office-holder's conduct amounted to gross misconduct.
Firm blames acquisitions after £160,000 SRA fine
Regulator found reconciliations were not taking place and client money not being promptly returned by Taylor Rose.
Lord Justice Cobb to take Family Division reins
Lady chief justice says she is ‘delighted’ with appointment of family presiding judge for the northeastern circuit.
SRA proposes mandatory three-hour ethics 'discussions' for solicitors
No return to CPD hours - but regulator moves to more prescriptive regime for continuing competence.
Judge calls for rule clarity on amending of claim forms
High Court upholds senior master's decision that amended form had been validly served.
FCA redress scheme faces legal battle for 'under-compensating' claimants
Law firms say redress being offered does not reflect the harm suffered by motor finance borrowers.
Judge issues 'costs padding' warning to firms aiming for 25% cap
Ruling observes that claimant’s litigation friend did not understand her own witness statement.
Mining giant seeks $167m over SFO investigation fiasco
Mr Justice Waksman will be determining quantum as Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC) seeks millions in compensation.
Cost of taking SQE to top £5,000
Candidates will have to pay £2,006 to sit SQE1 and £3,086 for SQE2 in the 2026/2027 academic year.
Memory lane
Co-op Group move into legal services, an education shake-up, and a legal electronic network: a stroll down Gazette memory lane.
Lloyds unveils 'fully digital' homebuying service
Searches to be included with property listings and source of funds conducted earlier to prevent chains collapsing.
Solicitor used client funds to pay for work he never completed
Cumbria practitioner said he ‘buried his head in the sand’ after billing for drafting wills.
National security does not justify claimants' blanket exclusion, EAT finds
Appeal considers whether open hearing could be held in claim by former employee.
Labour MP demands statutory review of judge-only trials
Paulette Hamilton says her amendment does not block or rewrite the Courts and Tribunals Bill.
'Suspected fraud': £39.5m of client money missing from PM Law
One of the biggest clear-up jobs ever undertaken by the regulator is likely to cost the profession millions.
'Most aggressive lawyers in London' in Winehouse auction litigation
Singer's father instructed his solicitors to 'bombard the defendants with aggressive letters and the threat of litigation'.
Law firms accused of misleading clients with blanket five-star reviews
Analysis finds many firms are carrying client testimonials with identical entries.
'Legendary' housing solicitor Giles Peaker dies after short illness
Prominent legal blogger was also one of the architects of landmark legislation that ensured rented homes were fit for human habitation.
Commission considers consumer class action regime
Government-sponsored project will seek views on benefits and risks of a new jurisdiction run at 'proportionate cost'.
Vexatious private prosecution an abuse of process
Chief magistrate finds 'profound breaches of duties of candour' in attempt to prosecute dual national serving in Israeli armed forces.
Global firms back UK sector with new promotion rounds
International work the biggest driver for firms promoting associates to partner level.
Cost-cutting pays off as conveyancing giant rebounds into operating profit
Simplify Moving intends to expand further through organic growth, acquisitions and the development of technology.
In depth: Trump's efforts to 'dismantle independent bar' fiercely resisted
'Like Nazi Germany': Lawyers fight back against president's onslaught as a critical court date looms.
City solicitor builds free tool for speedy court bundles
Software to create court-compliant PDF bundles will be free and open source to support access to justice.
Expect a junior minister to take the (white) heat
HMCTS will test the ability of its home-grown AI software to generate transcripts of Crown court proceedings.
SRA to bolster leadership team in bid to rebuild trust
Four newly created posts will cover risk, data and insight, external affairs and communications, general counsel and supervision.
CAT rejects group claim which would mostly benefit lawyers and funder
Unanimous judgment noted the estimated loss and proportion of damages distributed to class members 'dwarfed' £20m costs.
Empty seats in the Commons
Just four MPs bothered to show up to interrogate leaders of the LSB and SRA – and one left halfway through.
In depth: On the money - Law Society financial benchmarking survey
Fee income and profits continue to soar, this year’s benchmarking survey shows. Solicitors are clearly getting better at running their businesses.
Battle to water down jury trial reforms continues
Courts and Tribunals Bill committee has yet to vote on important amendment on specialist rape courts - a Labour manifesto commitment.
Machine age law is already changing practice, says master of rolls
TikTok generation will still consult human lawyers - but in a different way, Sir Geoffrey Vos predicts.
High-volume litigation funder placed into administration
Fenchurch Legal has been a key figure in the emergence of firms running thousands of housing disrepair, financial mis-selling and Plevin PPI claims.
Obituary: Ryan Dunleavy
A proud Yorkshireman whose breadth of experience made him a more rounded, empathethic and perceptive lawyer.
Serious Fraud Office outlines tech-driven roadmap
Agency pledges to intervene earlier ‘and with greater precision’ as it publishes annual business plan.
RAAC-riddled London court reopens
Harrow Crown Court is operating again, with some of its eight courtrooms refurbished.
NDAs will be invalid without legal advice, government proposes
Consultation, which is open until July, has been described as a ‘decisive moment in the fight to end the silencing of victims’.
City pledges support for LawCare
Two bodies will contribute a total of £45,000 over three years amid reports of ‘persistent structural pressures’ in the profession.
Putting the big screen on trial
A discussion on the best legal films.
Law firm income and profits soar - benchmarking survey
In 2025 the sector experienced its highest growth in over 15 years, according to a respected annual bellwether.
Politicians condemn 'sham' lawyers as SRA probes asylum firms
Regulator vows to take action against anyone in breach of their duties.
Global powers combine in 'world’s largest ever law firm merger'
Firms say clients want more integrated legal offer between London and New York.
Government defeats latest jury trial amendment
MPs clash over proposed curbs to jury trials during Courts and Tribunals Bill scrutiny session.
Much-loved lawyer for Bowie and the Rolling Stones dies aged 83
Paddy Grafton Green got into the entertainment industry by chance but carved out a niche practice.
Solicitor suspended for threatening complaining client with injunction
Former litigation solicitor admits emails to client were 'oppressive and inappropriate'.
'Not a happy tale': SRA chief admits complaints system is confusing
Sarah Rapson hints at potential tie-up between powers of Solicitors Regulation Authority and legal ombudsman.
Magistrates sanctioned over interactions and reactions
Judicial Conduct Investigations Office says two magistrates have been issued with formal warnings for misconduct.
Eversheds Sutherland and Irwin Mitchell announce promotion rounds
Partner promotion season continues with announcements from international and national firm.
Half a century of comfort, hope and safety
Happy 50th birthday to Central England Law Centre.
Claims firm banned from citing Martin Lewis endorsement
PCP Refunds collects claims which are then sold on to law firms for a referral fee.
PR powerhouses toast bright future
Two of the more venerable names in the legal public relations industry have merged.
Dr Ruby Bhatti OBE appointed High Sheriff of West Yorkshire
Dr Bhatti is the first South Asian solicitor to hold the role in the county.
Solicitor's 'extraordinary' error renders loan security void
Borrower successfully cites 400-year-old rule under which altered deeds are rendered void.
Jury reforms face key hurdle today
Rebel MP says amendment calling for specialist courts to deal with sexual offences was a Labour manifesto promise.
Junior banned for falsely recording 100 hours amid billing pressure
Tribunal says clinical negligence lawyer's mitigation was 'genuine and substantial' - but not enough to avoid strike-off.
AI to get a court transcription try-out
Research will test accuracy of in-house system in recording Crown court proceedings.
Partners approve Ashurst’s transatlantic merger
Ashurst and Perkins Coie will unite to create a top-20 global firm.