All News focus articles
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NewsIn depth: Mazur landmark appeal concludes
Julia Mazur’s spouse criticises law firms and regulators for ‘losing sight of the interests of the public’ amid fight to decide who can conduct litigation.
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NewsIn depth: ‘Buildings alone will not deliver justice’
The UK’s biggest dedicated tribunal centre is a welcome addition to our beleaguered courts estate, but still insufficient without the right people to fill it.
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NewsIn depth: Mazur - defeat could slam the door on the next generation
'This could define your future' - Legal executives, paralegals and trainees know how much is at stake.
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NewsIn depth: Supreme Court delivers 'bombshell' ruling on software patents - or does it?
Last week’s Supreme Court ruling on the patentability of computer software is certainly bold, but experts doubt that it will lead to the erection of IP barriers around the digital economy.
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NewsIn depth: Lammy's plan to seize client account interest faces bitter opposition
Early responses to a consultation on the government’s plan to seize interest on client accounts are hostile. Even not-for-profits worry that the cash will be used to cross-subsidise day-to-day spending.
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NewsIn depth: Leveson's 135 recommendations to fix the criminal courts
On Wednesday Sir Brian Leveson unveiled the second part of his criminal courts review. Rebuilding the legal aid workforce through annual fee reviews and trainee grants is included in a smorgasbord of recommendations.
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NewsIn depth: Another accumulator firm goes under - reviving tough questions for the SRA
Monday’s demise of PM Law Group left hundreds jobless and clients in limbo. The SRA has now intervened, as attention once again turns to the risks posed by firms which expand rapidly through acquisition.
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NewsIn depth: The SQE at four - what have we learned?
The SQE has faced fierce criticism since its advent in 2021. This week, assessment provider Kaplan published data addressing issues such as ethnicity attainment. But does the data tell the whole truth?
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NewsIn depth: PM takes to TikTok to announce leasehold shake-up
The PM took to TikTok to trumpet a shake-up of the ‘outdated’ leasehold system. Conveyancers welcome a £250 ground rent cap, but plans to make commonhold the default tenure present challenges.
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NewsIn depth: SRA on the ropes over alleged SLAPPs after third defeat
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is licking its wounds over three failed SLAPP prosecutions. Yet amid possible appeals and ‘eye-watering’ costs, the case for new legislation has gained momentum.
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NewsIn depth: Kirsty Brimelow KC’s priorities as bar chair
A fairer allocation of briefs to women barristers is one of Kirsty Brimelow KC’s 12 priorities as bar chair. Protecting lawyers from abuse and intimidation is also high on her agenda.
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NewsIn depth: MPs grill Sackman over contradictory messages on jury trial curbs
Courts minister took a buffeting from the Commons justice committee over whether the reforms will apply retrospectively. MPs also want to see the modelling.
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NewsIn depth: MPs berate MoJ over access to justice failures
Legal aid reforms 'at serious risk of going down in history as an extinction event', says PAC chair.
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NewsIn depth: Removing barriers to administrative justice
Improving the quality of administrative decision-making is the most efficient and cost-effective way of removing barriers to justice, according to a report from the Administrative Justice Council.
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NewsIn depth: A Christmas pay rise for legal aid lawyers
Some legal aid lawyers will benefit from increased fees from 22 December, although a commitment to raise rates in line with inflation currently running at 4% remains conspicuously absent.
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NewsIn depth: LLG conference - council solicitors grappling with restructuring and Mazur
The government’s plans to reform local authorities, and the difficulties Mazur has created, were among the hot topics at this year’s Lawyers in Local Government governance conference.
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NewsIn depth: 15 years after Holyrood sanctioned ABSs, will the Law Society finally bend?
A new campaign group aims to ‘unlock long-blocked reforms’ and push the Law Society of Scotland to finally change course on alternative business structures.
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NewsIn depth: Budget 2025 - what it means for solicitors
On Wednesday, firms breathed a sigh of relief as Rachel Reeves’ budget did not include a new tax on LLPs - but for the very largest there was a shock.
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NewsIn depth: Fight for Windrush justice goes on
Victims of the Windrush immigration scandal and campaigners fighting to secure justice on their behalf gathered in the House of Lords last week.
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NewsIn depth: CILEX bids to erase the memory of Mazur
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives is hoping for a quick fix, but those affected by the judgment have plenty of reasons to remain sceptical.