Multi-Office Firms Add New Openings
Multi‑office law firms Switalskis and Ison Harrison announced new office openings in Grimsby and Bradford, respectively. Switalskis will add about 25 staff at its 12th office, expanding services including legal‑aid work in North East Lincolnshire. Ison Harrison’s new Bradford hub brings its total to 25 offices and supports its £35 million revenue stream with 450 employees. Both moves underscore a strategic push into Yorkshire and Lincolnshire markets.
High Court Throws Out Appeal of 'Lack of Integrity' Sanction
The High Court dismissed partner Scott Halborg’s appeal against a 12‑month suspension imposed by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). The judge affirmed that allegations of lacking integrity are judged by the civil standard of proof, not an elevated moral standard....
SRA Boss Poised to Beef up Her Executive Team
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) chief executive announced plans to expand her senior leadership team, adding several new directors focused on technology, compliance and strategic operations. The expansion will be funded by a £5 million budget increase approved by the board....
Conveyancing: Tax Adviser Registration 'Could Be Deferred'
The UK government is considering deferring the mandatory registration of tax advisers involved in conveyancing transactions. The postponement aims to give firms additional time to meet new compliance standards while regulators finalize the qualification framework. Industry bodies have welcomed the...
Creditors of Closed Birmingham Firm Likely to Receive Nothing
Glaisyers LLP, a Birmingham legal‑aid specialist, entered administration after years of losses despite a £475,000 personal injection from its director. Administrators recovered about £218,000 but incurred nearly £95,000 in fees. Unsecured creditors owed £681,000 are now expected to receive no...
FCA Made 'Significant Errors' In Seizing Barrister Suspect's Devices
The High Court quashed a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warrant that seized a barrister's electronic devices, finding the regulator had made "significant errors of law" in its application. The warrant was issued under section 8 of the Police and Criminal Evidence...
Former TV Executive Picked to Chair LSB
Monisha Shah has been selected as the preferred candidate to chair the Legal Services Board (LSB) following a rigorous assessment process. Her most recent executive role was more than 15 years ago at BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the...
AML: Firms Warned Against Complacency Ahead of FCA Takeover
Law firms have been cautioned not to overlook the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s AML enforcement as the Financial Conduct Authority prepares to become the sole supervisor of anti‑money‑laundering rules, a transition that could stretch to three years. Experts at the Law...
Equity Partnership Still Heavily Dominated by Men, SRA Data Shows
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s latest data shows women now comprise 55% of UK lawyers but only 35% of equity partners, with parity at salaried partner level (49%). Representation of disabled solicitors has risen to 8%, still well below the 17%...
Children at Heart of 'Problem-Solving' Blueprint for Family Lawyers
Family law experts released a “Putting Children First” report recommending a problem‑solving framework that places children at the centre of separation proceedings. The blueprint urges lawyers to provide parents with a Children’s Commissioner letter, establish a commissioner for separated families,...
Judge Makes First 'Statutory SLAPP' Definition
A federal judge issued the first formal definition of a statutory SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) claim, outlining the elements required to qualify a lawsuit as a SLAPP under state anti‑SLAPP statutes. The ruling clarifies the burden of proof...
Judge Makes First 'Statutory SLAPP' Declaration
A UK High Court judge struck out an £8 million defamation claim by tax barrister Setu Kamal, labeling it the first “statutory SLAPP” under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The judgment in Kamal v Tax Policy Associates found Kamal’s...
PM Law Windup Begins as Police Probe Alleged Fraud
The PM Law network, an umbrella of 11 firms with over 600 staff, has entered formal winding‑up after liquidators were appointed for several constituent companies. The flagship PM Law Ltd reported £3.6 million in debts, including nearly £3 million owed to Virgin Bank,...
TV Host Rob Rinder Urges MPs to Oppose Jury Curbs
Criminal barrister and TV judge Rob Rinder has joined a growing chorus of legal professionals opposing the UK government’s proposal to limit jury trials for offences carrying up to three‑year prison terms. In a letter to MPs ahead of Justice...
SRA Returns £9m to Clients of Closed Firm PM Law
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has returned £9 million to former clients of the collapsed PM Law Group, combining £5.6 million seized from the firm’s client accounts with £3.69 million from the industry compensation fund. More than 250 compensation applications have been received, and...
Claimant Late to Accept Part 36 Offer Restricted to Fixed Costs, Rules Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal ruled that a claimant who accepts a Part 36 offer after the 21‑day deadline remains bound by the fixed‑cost regime that applied when the offer was made. In Attersley v UK Insurance Ltd, the claim moved to...
Class Action Champion Merricks Pulls Out of Rail Fares Case
Former chief financial ombudsman Walter Merricks withdrew as class representative in the Govia Thameslink rail‑fare case after failing to secure after‑the‑event (ATE) insurance. The claim, certified by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in 2021, alleges unfair pricing on the London‑to‑Brighton...
‘Unfair and Unlawful’ SEND Consultation Facing Challenge
The UK government’s latest SEND reform consultation proposes ending the SEND Tribunal’s power to name education settings in EHCPs and shifting the duty to deliver the educational offer from local authorities to schools. Public‑law firm Rook Irwin Sweeney has filed...
'Game Changing' AI Listing to Help Clear Court Backlog
The UK Ministry of Justice is piloting an AI‑driven case‑listing tool in Preston and Isleworth to help clear the chronic criminal court backlog. A new judicial national listing framework, due before summer, will standardise and increase transparency in how criminal...
Land Registry Tells PM Law Clients to Quickly Instruct New Solicitors
HM Land Registry has urged former PM Law clients to appoint new solicitors after the firm’s sudden closure left hundreds of conveyancing cases in limbo. The registry is actively identifying applications submitted by PM Law and will contact affected customers directly where...
Tick-Box Error Not Fatal to Costs Bill, Court of Appeal Rules
The Court of Appeal ruled that a £27,000 bill of costs remains valid even though the solicitor omitted the tick‑box confirming compliance with the indemnity principle. High Street Solicitors had signed and certified the bill, but left the specific box...
Ex-Solicitor Jailed for 13 Years over Cell Assaults
A 72‑year‑old former criminal‑defence solicitor, Alan Harris, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for sexually assaulting clients while they were detained in police and court cells. The convictions cover five counts of sexual assault and five counts of indecent...
Magistrate Sanctioned over Campaign Leaflet
Magistrate Michelle Bevan‑Margetts was issued formal advice for misconduct after a campaign leaflet she approved contained comments on government policy and the judiciary. The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office determined the remarks were added by her political party without her knowledge,...
Lammy to Fund Unlimited Sitting Days - but Still Curb Jury Trials
Justice Secretary David Lammy announced a funding package that removes caps on court sitting days, aiming to clear backlogs and speed case resolution. The same plan tightens the use of jury trials, restricting them to serious criminal and complex civil...
Banker Who Gave False Evidence Under Oath Has Sentence Reduced
A senior banker was convicted of providing false evidence under oath in a federal fraud case and subsequently had his prison term reduced on appeal. The original sentence, imposed for perjury and involvement in a $200 million loan scheme, was cut...
Solicitor Struck Off over Indecent Image Conviction
A solicitor has been struck off the roll after being convicted of possessing indecent images. The disciplinary tribunal ordered the removal of his practising certificate, citing breach of professional standards. The case was processed swiftly by the Solicitors Regulation Authority...
High Court Dismisses Contempt Applications Against Lawyers
The High Court dismissed all contempt applications filed by self‑represented litigant Martina Yvonne Shand against six defendants, including five lawyers, deeming them totally without merit. Justice Cotter also struck out Shand's £500,000 claim against Mishcon de Reya and DWF, labeling...
Barrister Accused of Inflating Claimant’s Losses Reported to BSB by Judge
A judge has reported a barrister to the Bar Standards Board (BSB) for allegedly inflating a claimant’s loss figures in a recent case. The allegation suggests the barrister exaggerated damages to secure a higher settlement. The BSB now faces a...
Criminal Practitioner Groups Unite to Fight Lammy on Juries
Labour MP David Lammy has reignited calls to reform the criminal jury system, proposing limits on jury use in complex Crown Court cases. In response, a coalition of criminal defence solicitors, barristers and professional bodies met to coordinate opposition. The...
SRA Restricts Solicitor’s Practising Certificate After Stalking Conviction
Regulator says it has ’serious concerns’ about Andrew Milne’s conviction and wider allegations.
City Lawyers Urge SRA to Rethink Anti-SLAPP Campaign
City law firms have formally urged the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to reconsider its anti‑SLAPP campaign after a series of high‑profile prosecutions collapsed. The City Society argues that the failed actions expose fundamental flaws in the regulator’s approach to conduct...
Law Firms Brace for Mazur Appeal Next Week
Law firms are preparing for a pivotal Mazur appeal scheduled for next week, following a September ruling that reshaped litigation financing. The decision has triggered a cascade of changes in how firms price services, allocate staff, and address pro bono...
In Depth: Mazur - Defeat Could Slam the Door on the Next Generation
Mazur, a legal‑tech platform aimed at modernizing case management, is confronting a critical legal challenge that could halt its rollout. The company’s proposed AI‑driven workflow tool is under scrutiny by a federal regulator citing data‑privacy concerns. If the regulator rules...
Company Director Fails with Anonymity Bid over SFO Deferred Prosecution Agreement
Consideration of open justice principle ‘part of administration of justice’, High Court finds.
Solicitor's 50-Year Career Ended by Dishonesty Findings
Buckingham practitioner said misconduct was not planned but he agrees to strike-off.
No Cyber Attack Compensation Scheme for Legal Aid Solicitors
The UK government announced there will be no dedicated compensation scheme for legal aid solicitors affected by the recent cyber‑attack on the legal aid system. The minister told MPs that the outage also generated additional billable work for firms, but...
Magistrate's Nine-Year-Old Facebook Posts Lead to Formal Warning
A magistrate received a formal warning after three nine‑year‑old Facebook posts resurfaced, one of which she described as “unwise.” The posts were originally shared with a private audience but were deemed to breach judicial conduct standards. The disciplinary body concluded...
Post Office Scandal: SRA Plans Swifter Action over Conduct
Regulator not minded to wait over issues such as cooperation with the inquiry, board papers reveal.
Solicitor Fined over Vulnerable Client's Representation
Solicitor knew client had autism spectrum disorder when he pleaded guilty to criminal charges.
Expert Evidence Branded 'Literally Unbelievable' As PI Claim Fails
A personal‑injury claim arising from a car‑park collision was thrown out after the judge branded the claimant’s expert evidence as "literally unbelievable." The court found the testimony implausible and questioned whether the misrepresentation stemmed from negligence, stupidity or outright dishonesty....
Legal Aid Rates in Forensic Science 'Risk Miscarriages of Justice'
The Science and Technology Committee warned that current legal‑aid rates for forensic experts are far below market levels, creating a funding gap between prosecution and defence. The committee told the Ministry of Justice that this disparity threatens the fairness of...
SRA Plans Risk Profiler to Flag Potential Law Firm Collapses
Investigators will have access to crib sheets of key data so they can detect warning signs earlier.
Largest Tribunal Centre in the Country to Open - at Last
London is set to launch the nation’s largest tribunal centre, a seven‑storey building on Newgate Street. The project, originally slated for operational readiness by the end of 2023, has experienced delays but is now poised to open. The new hub...
In Depth: Supreme Court Delivers 'Bombshell' Ruling on Software Patents - or Does It?
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark opinion that expands the patent eligibility of computer software, applying a “machine‑or‑transformative” test to determine protectability. The decision arose from a case involving data‑compression technology and signals a shift from the abstract‑idea barrier...
MoD to Pilot Free Legal Support for Rape Complainants
The Ministry of Defence announced a pilot programme offering free legal support to service members who report rape. External solicitors will advise complainants on their rights and the implications of sharing phone and medical records. The initiative aims to remove...
Court of Protection Declines to Replace Single Joint Expert in Capacity Case
The Court of Protection refused to replace the single joint expert appointed in a mental‑capacity dispute, despite parties’ objections. The presiding judge instead ordered the expert to produce a second, more focused report to address specific points of disagreement. The...
SRA Investigating Potential Fraud at Collapsed PM Law
Regulator sharing results of its investigation with police and other authorities.