All News focus articles
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NewsIn depth: LCJ braces for a 'year of transition' on the bench
At a time when ‘we are losing giants of the judiciary’, the LCJ spoke this week of legislation combining courts and tribunals, the safety of judges and recruiting more solicitors to the bench.
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NewsIn depth: How interest on client account schemes work abroad
The government’s plans for an Interest on Lawyers’ Client Account scheme are flawed – that was the consensus at a recent conference exploring how existing ILCAs operate internationally.
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NewsIn depth: Put AI on your risk agenda, firms told
AI should form an integral part of a firm’s risk policy, the Law Society’s risk and compliance conference heard. Data security and precautions are increasingly scrutinised when PII is renewed.
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NewsIn depth: Four MPs are demanding to know why Andrew Milne is still on the roll
Parliamentarians claim the solicitor has caused their constituents ‘an unimaginable amount of stress’.
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NewsIn depth: The bench is failing to diversify as it struggles to recruit
Evidence to the Senior Salaries Review Body highlights worrying recruitment shortfalls among the judiciary, including on the district bench. Practical and cultural factors deter strong solicitor applications.
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NewsIn depth: Mazur madness? Court bars senior lawyer
A judge has barred a senior family lawyer from conducting litigation, highlighting the urgency of a decision in the Mazur appeal. Lisa Burton-Durham says CILEX has many questions to answer.
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NewsIn depth: Lord chancellor stands firm on jury trial curbs
Criminal lawyers have united to oppose jury trial curbs, but David Lammy is refusing to budge. Backbench MPs may yet pitch an eleventh-hour compromise plan.
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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.