Magistrate who upset colleague issued with advice for misconduct
Magistrate rejected the allegation but an investigation found he came across as ‘aggressive’ to his colleagues.
Magistrate issued with formal warning for misconduct after swearing in court
Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said presiding justice was ‘profoundly sorry’.
Council of Europe body acts to safeguard judicial independence
Consultative council of European judges issues recommendations as politicians seek to silence or sack judges for their decisions.
Obituary: Judge Prakash Mathuradas Suchak
Judge Prakash Mathuradas Suchak was Leicestershire Law Society's first ethnic minority president.
SRA ordered to pay £184k costs after botched prosecution of City lawyer
Regulator admits it ‘should have done better’ after waiting over a year to tell solicitor of internal report that undermined its case.
Firm to appeal negligence finding over property dispute
Solicitors had argued in court that not all mistakes constituted professional negligence.
KC wins appeal for extra legal aid money
Determining officer did not consider worklog supplied by barrister, costs judge rules.
Court interpreting: MoJ rebuffs peers' plea to halt procurement process
Justice minister tells Lords inquiry areas requiring improvement can be built into current retendering process.
What next for the Post Office Inquiry?
We answer the key questions following last week’s conclusion of live hearings at the public inquiry into the Horizon scandal.
Zahawi solicitor fined £50k, but tribunal dismisses ‘SLAPP’ framing
SDT finds one allegation proved, but Osborne Clarke lawyer 'made no attempt to prevent scrutiny' of former chancellor’s tax affairs.
Five Axiom Ince executives charged by Serious Fraud Office
Charges including fraud and forgery brought following 15-month investigation into collapsed firm.
Firm’s Christmas video to bring community together
South Wales firm Gomer Williams has gone above and beyond this Christmas season.
National firm's travel manager banned for fiddling Delay Repay scheme
Fraudulent travel compensation claims resulted in prosecution of office worker.
Criminal legal aid rates rise by further 12%
Increase takes total uplift to 24% - but Law Society warns this may not be enough to halt the exodus of duty solicitors.
SRA shuts down Liverpool firm amid dishonesty concerns
Intervention into GW Law carried out last week as director Christopher Williams suspended.
Pro bono charity welcomes first solicitor-trustees
Free Representation Unit changed governance arrangements to steer the organisation into becoming a '21st century business'.
Fake 'Satoshi' gets suspended sentence for ‘flagrant’ contempt in bitcoin case
Dr Craig Wright appears in contempt hearing remotely, telling the judge only that he is ‘in Asia’.
‘Huge win for open justice’ as Crown court documents released
Anti-corruption charity ‘must surely…be free to publish the contents of what was said in open court’, judge rules
Divorces wrongly approved due to computer error will stand, High Court rules
Application brought by the lord chancellor would not have been necessary had HMCTS investigated the issue when first alerted, says judgment.
National firm sells minority stake to private equity
HF on acquisition trail as external investor buys 30% of the business.
Court of Appeal to hear challenge to judges’ anonymity in Sara Sharif case
Journalists brought a challenge to anonymity order which prevents family judges being identified.
Gallery: Law firms spreading Christmas cheer
A round-up of the good work being done by law firms this festive period.
Blow to class action sector as CAT rules on landmark case
Tribunal’s decision in phone charges claim could have dampening effect, specialist lawyer predicts.
European court delivers potentially fatal blow to alternative business structures
In a closely watched dispute, the CJEU rules that safeguarding the independence of lawyers justifies banning ‘purely financial’ investment in law firms.
Barrister disbarred over sexual harassment of pupils
Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service finds eight charges of misconduct proved relating to two pupils and a person on mini-pupillage.
SRA pledges action against door-knocking claims firms
Regulator concerned that firms are not asking questions about how claims have been generated.
Family lawyers react to financial remedies 'milestone'
Solicitors raise concerns over the prospect of limiting judicial discretion but demand quicker action on nuptial agreements.
Firm wins right to trial over imposter client
Bridging loan company is attempting to sue law firm over £775,000 fraud by client.
Ex-Axiom Ince employee barred over altered bank statements
Misconduct came during a period when millions went missing from client account at collapsed firm.
Absent 'bitcoin inventor' faces jail for contempt
Alleged perjuror refuses to attend contempt hearing despite offer to pay his fare from Southeast Asia.
Supreme Court provides ‘clear guidance’ on costs recovery in inheritance claims
Ruling on how ‘financial need’ should be considered in inheritance claims described as a ‘blow to claimants’.
MI5 alert on ‘Chinese spy’ solicitor was lawful, tribunal finds
Security services warned MPs about solicitor Christine Lee and her purported links to China.
Financial remedies law 'not working', says Law Commission
Commission publishes divorce reform options after concluding that current framework is not delivering fair and consistent outcomes.
Ex-Freshfields partner suspended for touching colleague in taxi
Nicholas Williams, who resigned from the magic circle firm when the events came to light, got drunk at Christmas party.
SLAPPs case: Former chancellor Zahawi’s solicitor defends ‘without prejudice’ email
Firm’s head of client strategy tells SDT he was ‘not trying’ to be threatening in email to blogger and former magic circle lawyer Dan Niedle.
Probate solicitors lack supervision and relevant training, finds SRA
Just nine out of 30 sample files showed evidence of supervision.
Supreme Court deputy president to retire
Lord Hodge says though he will miss friends and colleagues, he ‘owes it’ to his wife to step back from role.
Drug dealing litigation executive barred from profession
Police found stash of cocaine in Manchester lawyer’s car.
Forced labour claims against Dyson to be heard in England
Court of Appeal found England is ‘appropriate forum’ for claims brought by migrant workers against vacuum cleaner manufacturer.
Justice committee: Lord chancellor pledges extra 2,000 court sitting days - as it happened
Shabana Mahmood makes her first appearance before MPs on the select committee as lord chancellor and justice secretary.
DAC Beachcroft setting up shop in New York and LA
City firm will have opened four new international offices within the space of nine months.
Post Office Inquiry: Vennells' lawyer says CEO relied on general counsel - as it happened
Yesterday featured closing submissions from the lawyers representing victims. Today is the turn of the lawyers for the Post Office, Paula Vennells and Gareth Jenkins.
New menopause support network for legal aid lawyers
Solicitor says a lot of menopause support within the legal sector is focused on corporate entities and big institutions.
Zahawi solicitor misused 'without prejudice', SRA tells tribunal in first SLAPPs case
Osborne Clarke partner denies all allegations against him, as tax commentator and former magic circle partner Dan Neidle gives evidence.
Family case must be reheard 'to protect integrity of process'
Mr Justice Hayden also criticised ‘lamentable delays’ and lack of judicial continuity in the case.
Property lawyer struck off after backdating letter
Martin Smith returned from Christmas and new year to find he had failed to send document.
AI savings should be passed on to clients, says firm boss
Chief executive of 360 Law Group says some documents can be checked for as little as £20.
Surrogacy reform moves up the agenda
Health minister met Law Commission last month to discuss its earlier work on 'not fit for purpose' surrogacy laws.
Court of Appeal finds against Shell over oil spill claims
Leigh Day describes judgment as ‘critical’ for complex environmental claims.
Post Office live: PO lawyers enforced 'corporate psychopathy with ingenuity, ruthlessness'
After more than two years, the Post Office Inquiry hearings draw to a close with final statements from lawyers representing core participants.
Osborne Clarke solicitor faces tribunal in first SLAPP prosecution
Lawyer was acting for former chancellor of the exchequer Nadhim Zahawi at the time of the alleged breaches.
Service on 'persons unknown' out of jurisdiction now requires hearing
The Honourable Mr Justice Nicklin made suggestion in GDPR case and it will now be the practice in Media and Communications List.
Regulator cranks up AML clampdown with six fines in three days
Total levied in fines on the profession for AML breaches passes £600,000 this year.
Solicitors reprimanded as cross-examination exposes client’s inability to speak English
Claim against Hindu temple in Coventry struck out over the 'wholly unacceptable' episode.
Lawyers divided on 'intermediate courts' to cut Crown court backlog
Leveson review will explore new tier of court where cases will be dealt with by a judge sitting with magistrates.
Solicitor unveils one-stop shop for lay attorneys
Users pay fixed fee subscription for tool to handle their loved ones’ affairs.
Judge rejects ex-client’s claim that solicitor misled court
Costs judge finds no reason to reopen dispute subject to a ruling earlier this year.
Creditors of online legal advice firm approve sale plans
LawBite’s website remains online as its 33 creditors approve administrators’ plans to sell the company’s assets.
Value of legal exports soars
Reports base on new government data highlight the importance of the sector.
‘Impunity is rampant’: global bar despairs as states roll back on human rights
IBA highlights ’urgent need’ to address multiple crises, including in Gaza, Ukraine and Hong Kong.
Midlands firm failed to ‘energetically chase’ Manchester Civil Justice Centre
Client’s claim for statutory review failed following unexplained delay of two months.
Indefinite hospital order for Duncan Lewis knifeman
Cavan Medlock was found not fit to plead on two counts: preparation of terrorist acts and making a threat to kill.
Proudman's 'boys club' tweet not misconduct, bar tribunal rules
Judiciary is ‘far more robust’ than to have been gravely damaged by family barrister's 'unpleasant' tweets, tribunal chair rules.
Global bar body condemns Iran’s ‘chastity and hijab’ law
New measure a ’terrifying escalation of state-sanctioned gender discrimination’, IBAHRI says.
Leveson to conduct 'once in a generation' criminal courts review
Review potentially paves the way for fewer jury trials as former Queen's Bench president asked to consider 'intermediate courts' and moving trials.
Supreme Court clears way for motor finance appeals
Justices will hear lenders’ appeals over duties owed to car finance customers in early 2025.
Lord chancellor kicks off another review of judges’ pay
Major review ‘provides an opportunity to examine more fundamental issues affecting the judicial pay structures’.
Obiter Productions presents: Shakespeare in Law
Obiter Productions presents: The Merry Twelfth Merchant’s Tempest (Part 1)
Lawyers welcome 'parental alienation' guidance
Solicitor says reasons why a child refuses to see a parent can be complex and courts spend a lot of time grappling with challenging issues.
People living in poverty 'waiting months for judge to hear their benefits appeal'
MPs demanded answers during justice questions on sitting days and court backlog.
Mahmood unveils long-term strategy to tackle prison population crisis
Planning rules will be changed to allow prisons to be built quickly, new places will be added to existing sites and cells will be refurbished.
Knifeman threatened to kill Duncan Lewis immigration solicitor, court hears
Attacker Cavan Medlock appeared via videolink during a day-long trial and will be sentenced later this week.
More justice cuts loom as ‘iron’ chancellor targets Whitehall waste
Rachel Reeves has ordered government departments to find ‘savings’ of 5% from 2026.
'Thoroughly dishonest': Shiner avoids prison over legal aid fraud
Former human rights lawyer allowed his enthusiasm for his clients’ cases to 'get the better of his judgement', Crown court judge says.
Veteran wills solicitor rebuked over client’s £22,000 gift
SRA says solicitor of 45 years did not intentionally breach rules and made no financial gain.
Barrister Charlotte Proudman faces tribunal over ‘boys club’ tweet
Barrister denies fives charges of misconduct before the Bar’s disciplinary tribunal.
Law firm at centre of LPA allegations ‘may sue BBC’
Craybeck Law hits out at ’misleading and inaccurate’ BBC investigation into its use of lasting powers of attorney.
Expired MOT does not invalidate £21k credit hire claim, rules Court of Appeal
CoA judges find owner's breach of criminal law did not alter the fact that credit hire charges were accrued.
Trowers & Hamlins blames inflation for ‘unchanged’ profits
International firm reveals that much of 2023-24 revenue rise was eaten up by extra staff costs.
Homicide reform expected to dominate parliamentary questions to justice secretary
Proposals for tougher sentences for jealous ex-partners and wider review of homicide law and murder sentencing framework were announced last week.
Sidhu - three charges proved
Former chair of Criminal Bar Assocation faces sanction after tribunal rules on allegations by three women.
'Satoshi perjuror' must turn up in person for bitcoin contempt hearing
'A taxi to court provides a convenient and anonymous way to get to the relevant court building,' judge advises.
Founder of group litigation giant quits leadership role
Harris Pogust steps down at a time when the business is making significant staff cuts.
Macfarlanes’ top earner handed £4m as cash pile tops £100m
Holborn-headquartered firm is one of London’s most profitable legal businesses.
Solicitor jailed with her mother for 'all-out war' with neighbours
Pair subjected victims to three months of abuse and noise in quiet Lincolnshire village.
Barrister who pressured defendant and was affected by alcohol is suspended
Disciplinary tribunal also found barrister, representing the CPS, had appeared in court while under the influence of alcohol.
Solicitor struck off over unverified legal aid claims
SDT says east London sole practitioner showed ‘total disregard’ for solicitor rules.
Lawyer ethics top of the agenda for 2025, says regulation chief
Legal Services Board chair says issue of legal ethics ‘clearly needs significant attention’.
In depth: Financial remedies - next steps for family justice reform
Financial remedies in divorce came under scrutiny this week. The Law Commission revealed four potential models for reform for inclusion in a scoping paper that will be published soon.
SRA seeks to be added as creditor in bankruptcy of ex-Axiom Ince boss
Disposal hearing stayed until trustee in bankruptcy is notified of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s case.