Munby: State 'washed its hands' of couple branded bigamists after court failures
Couple had assumed their divorce was finalised in 2014 but mistakes by district judges led to fears that their decrees were void. Only the 'charity’ of the legal profession rescued them, says judge.
Post Office requests judge recusal in group action case
Post Office confirms it has made application to recuse Mr Justice Peter Fraser.
Clifford Chance reports sexuality and disability pay gap
Gender pay gap widens slightly in most categories but data for other characteristics breaks new ground.
Longer NHS waiting times threaten spike in clin neg claims, warns spending watchdog
Lengthening NHS waiting times could lead to a rise in clinical negligence claims, the public spending watchdog warns today. But the NHS’s understanding of the looming problem is ‘limited’, according to the National Audit Office.
Lying GP expert should have been jailed like solicitor, says appeal court
Insurance company appealed on basis doctor’s suspended sentence was too lenient.
Jailed paedophile barrister removed from profession
John Guess was a former lawyer for the Welsh government.
'Real-life Daniel Blake''s barrister blasts legal aid cuts following tribunal win
Doughty Street Chambers' Mary-Rachel McCabe acted pro bono for Tony Rice.
Baker McKenzie to target better BAME representation
International firm says black, asian and minority ethnic representation ’thins out at the most senior levels’.
Land Registry prepares to publish conveyancers' error rates
More than 3,000 requisitions sent every day after customers omit or supply inaccurate information.
GCs not benefiting from innovative technology due to knowledge gap
Senior legal chiefs unsure what technology would make the best investment.
Claimant solicitors secure £150k interim costs for unfinished dispute
Court rules it a ‘virtual certainty’ that claimants will secure costs, despite quantum not known for three years.
Client did not give informed consent to deductions, costs appeal hears
Former client of HH Law says it was not made clear to her what she would end up paying in PI claim.
Media trawled through SC justices' family social media accounts during Brexit case
Lady Hale and Lord Reed advise against judges having their own accounts.
Supreme Court allows 'reasonable diligence' appeal in fraud claim
'Bare-knuckle fight' between principles that fraud unravels all and that litigation must end.
Court 'on precipice' of thousands of costs challenges by ex-clients
Appeal hears firm’s argument that its deductions from damages were clearly set out to client.
SRA prepares for 'no deal' with QLTS changes
Exemptions to be offered for all foreign qualified lawyers but not on topic by topic basis.
Home Office rejects knife ASBO amendments
Government says the Offensive Weapons Bill provides safeguards being sought by Magistrates' Association and others.
Government probes justice algorithm bias
Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation to report next year on automated decision-making systems.
Pinsent Masons brings flexible lawyer service to Hong Kong
Firm says businesses need 'quality lawyers working flexibly'.
City firms 'foggy' on parental leave
Some law firms showed a commitment to displaying parental benefits while others did not divulge any information.
Garnier's media set One Brick Court to shut following exits
Small specialist set of chambers 'vulnerable to unplanned events'.
SRA delays advent of the freelance solicitor for six months
Regulator will also impose digital badge requirement on all firms from November.
SRA targets hundreds of firms in new anti-money laundering assault
More than 40 solicitors have left practice in the past five years for misconduct related to money laundering.
Legal Aid Agency to view applicants' bank accounts
Agency reveals it has been testing open banking technology as part of efforts to keep up with digital expectations.
Profits down 20% at PI firm as 'transition' costs bite
NAHL says figures have also been affected by the cost of setting up a new law firm.
Divorce process 'too complicated' for litigants in person
Nuffield Foundation report contrasts England and Wales' three-step procedure with those of other jurisdictions.
Crime agency laments ‘dearth’ of suspicious activity reports from lawyers
National Crime Agency boss was giving evidence to Joint Select Committee on the Draft Registration of Overseas Entities Bill.
HMCTS steps up video hearing push with county court first
Hearing held in Manchester between parties who consented to take part through an online link.
MoJ starts countdown clock on discount rate change
Lord chancellor will today announce the immediate start of a review into the adjustment applied to personal injury damages.
Conveyancers 'too close' to developers, MPs claim
Select committee told that some developer-recommended solicitors failed to advise buyers of onerous lease terms.
LSB chief hints at tougher CPD requirements
Neil Buckley says legal profession has much to learn from medical sector in how lawyers show continuing competence.
Fine for male barrister who ‘squeezed woman’s bottom’
Kevin Barry was fined £3,000 for 2014 incident.
Unqualified legal adviser to pay £337,000 in negligence ruling
High Court finds adviser George Rusz and his firm Troy Lucas to have been negligent in clinical negligence case.
Dublin steps up 'centre of legal excellence' campaign
Legal sector chiefs attend to St Patrick’s Day events in US to promote Irish courts as a global forum.
Court of Appeal rejects Iranian bank's secrecy plea
Production of documents in London Bank Mellat case should trump concerns as to Iranian law.
Partnerships bounce back with 307 net additions in last year
A total of 4,594 lawyers became partners in 2017/18, the fourth consecutive year of growth.
News focus: Do errant solicitors get a rougher ride than barristers at tribunal?
The SDT’s ‘highest of expectations’ and the regulator’s desire for a ‘gold standard’ mean solicitors appear to be treated more harshly than barristers and other professionals in disciplinary cases.
Hijab protest lawyer gets 33 years after secret trial
According to rights campaigners, Nasrin Sotoudeh has been found guilty on seven charges.
Lawyers predict extension of bribery curbs to other economic crime
Bribery Act is ‘exemplary’, said House of Lords committee.
Regulator defends ABS record fine for misleading letters
FindMyClaims.com’s £124,436 fine was equivalent to just 1% of annual turnover.
Memory lane 18 March 2019
A stroll down Gazette memory lane.
Never mind the b*ll*cks
Attorney general Geoffrey Cox QC MP managed to convey his view towards a tweet in a simple one-worded message.
HMCTS needs Facebook status update
Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service’s Facebook page is lagging behind in comparison to its Twitter counterpart.
Learned friend plays waiting game
A judge’s mention of a literary allusion in a ruling last week wasn’t lost on Gazette readers.
Legal aid lawyers offered money to pilot flexible court hours
Early and late court sittings will be piloted for six months in Manchester and Brentford, west London.
Solicitors warned to expect extension of price transparency rules
Iain Miller says most firms have only done the bare minimum to comply - which could spur the SRA to further action.
Forensics shortfalls and legal aid rates jeopardising trials
Forensic Science Regulator wants funding system changed to raise standards.
Junior lawyers plan new challenges over ‘super-exam’
Legal Services Board says it is expecting another application from Solicitors Regulation Authority.
DWF shares edge up as law firm makes FTSE history
Share offering is the most ambitious yet in the legal sector.
Solicitor emailed client own bank details out of 'force of habit'
Gary Ackinclose struck off the roll after being found dishonest over email to client.
Legal regulators outperforming accountancy on AML supervision
Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision finds that regulators have more to do.
Government gets the ball rolling on criminal legal aid review
Ministry of Justice says it wants reforms to fairly pay for work done and limit perverse incentives.
New probate controversy as MoJ dismisses 'tax' definition
Office for Budget responsibility says it expects new fees to be classified as a ’tax’.
Commonhold 'must earn market approval' to be viable leasehold alternative
Law Society is worried about the scale of immediate, radical change on the cards.
Top litigation funder says sector has undergone 'sea change' as profits surge
Burford Capital reveals 23% profit growth - and warns about ‘dabblers’ trying to enter the market.
Spring Statement: Justice spending down by over 50% in 13 years
No end in sight to austerity in the justice system, thinktank’s analysis suggests.
Firm co-chair charged over US university admissions scandal
Gordon Caplan named in District Attorney’s Office documents.
Firm fined record £124,000 for sending millions of misleading letters
SRA-regulated PPI specialist Findmyclaims says it has changed its marketing methods and quality controls.
Peers call for speedier bribery investigations
Bribery Act 'an excellent piece of legislation', post-legislative scrutiny committee agrees.
Judge makes public his concern about expert witness's conduct
His Honour Clifford Bellamy says behaviour in Court of Protection case did not meet expected standards.
Social media contempt warning after Tina Malone conviction
Robert Buckland QC says users should ‘think carefully’ about their posts.
Revealed: Ince collapsed after partners declined £8.5m bail-out
Administrators of City firm say financial position was ‘unmanageable’ by January amid heightened risk of SRA intervention.
Civil service union secures 10% pay hike for prosecutors
Staff can be required to work between 7am to 7pm under the two-year deal.
Billing errors not enough to reduce solicitor costs, rules High Court
Judge also rejects defendant’s contention that ATE premium was unreasonable.
Solicitor restored to roll after eight years' rehabilitation
Ahmar Hussain found to be a credible and honest witness as he sought to restart his career.
Charities warn MoJ over impact of probate fee hike
Probate fee statutory instrument is set to come into force in April.
Update: Molly Russell family granted legal aid for inquest on appeal
Russell solicitor says lawyers should not have to represent families for free.
Amnesty calls on EU to intervene after Iran jails lawyer for 38 years
Reports emerge that Nasrin Sotoudeh also faces 148 lashes for various ’crimes’ in relation to human rights work.
Brexit: Attorney General's legal advice deals blow to PM
Prime Minister claims to have secured ‘legally binding’ changes to the withdrawal agreement.
Solicitor fined after lending vulnerable client £27k at 60% interest
Richard Barca tells tribunal he was trying to help client who faced losing her home and livelihood.
Linklaters achieves 20% female partnership for first time
Firm has revealed details of latest round of promotions.
New: Gazette’s women in the law web page
Home to history, profiles, opinion and news.
Master grants Inheritance Act application made 25 years out of time
Judgment also questions approach from another court to considering late applications.
Solicitor falsified notes then relied on them to defend negligence claim
Tribunal strikes off Bradford sole practitioner after finding of dishonesty.
DWF set to raise £95m from stock market listing
Members set to be paid £19m from net proceeds of IPO.
News focus: Equality still a work in progress
New Law Society research confirms that tackling unconscious bias, fair pay and promoting widespread flexible working are key elements needed to achieve gender equality in the legal profession.
Solicitors represented at arm’s length on AI advisory group
New body set up to advise judiciary on developments in artificial intelligence is dominated by judges.
Practitioners' queries on calls for court reform evidence
House of Commons justice select committee called for written submissions of evidence for the £1bn court reform programme.
Funder pledges £1m for access to justice
Global litigation funder Therium Access will provide funds necessary to pursue or defend claims.
Instructed by the Great Eagle
Former army officer James Averill acted on relayed communications from the higher entity The Lord of the Scorpio Hierarchy.
Horses for courses at new law firm
Two solicitors have opened what they say is the UK’s first legal practice specialising in the protection of animals.
MPs demand timetable for economic crime reform
Treasury Select Committee says legislation should be introduced in time for next Queen’s speech.
Mortgage lenders worried about commonhold insolvency
Law Commission has been tasked with reviving the leasehold alternative to home ownership.
Reprimand for unregistered barrister who accepted instructions
Alexia Zimbler had not completed appropriate training or registered with Bar Council.
Courts IT headache drags on into Friday
Croydon Crown Court experiencing problems as HMCTS insists problem has been resolved.
'Waiting for Godot': Ex-client on the hook for costs after ignoring solicitor's advice on offer
Judge says solicitors can’t wait 'like Vladimir and Estragon' for opponent to make offer that might never come.
MoD hit with £80k costs penalty after ignoring disclosure duties
Mr Justice Fraser says department should have voluntarily handed over documents to unsuccessful bidder.
New firm taps soaring demand from lawyers for advice on regulatory maze
Bennett Briegal says instructions from lawyers have increased as rules become more complex.
International Women's Day: is partnership a postcode lottery?
Thousands of women lawyers reveal what is holding them back at work in landmark Law Society research. One factor is where they live.
IT failure knocks out courts for second time in two months
HM Courts & Tribunals Service said it is experiencing problems with the Crown Court Digital Case System.
