Struck off solicitor jailed over fraud
Former probate lawyer sentenced to a custodial sentence of three years and eight months.
Profits soar at Clifford Chance
PEP hits £2.3m as City giant continues to grow rapidly, including in the Americas.
SRA cannot regulate without access to privileged material, court told
Defamation firm Carter-Ruck is seeking a declaration that the SRA is not entitled to require the production of material.
Litigation funder appoints administrators after court action
Group of investors in loan notes brought a contested administration order in the High Court last week.
New justice secretary urged to unfreeze family mediation rates
Family Mediation Council says damning justice commitee report backs up longstanding calls for higher pay rates.
Solicitor's banter towards police officers not misconduct, tribunal finds
Criminal lawyer, 83, admitted making ‘flippant’ remarks to young female officers but SDT dismisses all charges.
Slaughter gets government post
Chair of justice select committee becomes attorney general as former practising solicitor becomes justice minister.
LiP found in contempt after breaching firm's harassment injunction
A hearing to deal with penalty over the sending of a threatening letter and email is listed for next week.
Mishcon upbeat despite exit of four-partner corporate team
Partner departures emerged as firm announced new central London home from 2029.
Carter-Ruck challenges SRA's claim over privileged documents
High Court hearing centres on the statutory interpretation of section 44B of the Solicitors Act 1974.
In depth: ICJ opinion could land UK with massive climate justice bill
Thinktank calls for action to prevent landmark advisory opinion on carbon emissions landing the UK with climate compensation claims running into the trillions of pounds.
New lord chancellor has a 'golden opportunity' - Society
Chancery Lane repeats calls on Norris to reverse curbs on jury trials and to increase legal aid.
Society commissions probe on legal aid bureaucracy
Chancery Lane wants to give Burnham administration evidence-based solutions to reduce system inefficiencies.
Top-50 financial results table 2026: updated live
2025/26 results as they come in.
Third successive year of profit growth at Linklaters
Profit per equity partner rises 11.4% to £2.48m as firm announces growth in all core markets.
Who is Alex Norris MP?
New lord chancellor is fifth non-lawyer in the modern role - but he is no household name.
Chief executive quits as listed firm's net debt quadruples in a year
Consultation begins over likely job losses at stockmarket pioneer Gateley following long slide in the share price.
Non-lawyer Norris picked as lord chancellor
Ellie Reeves MP promoted to attorney general in Andy Burnham's first cabinet.
SDT appeal dismissed as High Court describes 'troubling' litigation conduct
Judge finds ‘it troubling that a solicitor…has apparently been unable to ensure that her own proceedings were conducted competently’.
‘Demanding’ and ‘disrespectful’ magistrate given formal warning
Justice of the peace denied the allegations against her but was found to have been ‘unprofessional towards a colleague’.
Analyst held herself out as solicitor to aid partner's tenancy dispute
AML specialist issued a notice to tenant under pretence that City firm had been instructed.
Lammy and Hermer out as Burnham wields axe
Lord chancellor and attorney general had both been expected to move on with the change of leadership.
Government unveils light-touch class action reform
Scope of the opt-out collective regime will be left untouched, consultation document reveals.
Rise in counsel spending but ‘stable’ vacancy rate at SFO
Serious Fraud Office’s interim director pledges to accelerate innovation, 'including the responsible use of AI'.
MoJ dangles £3.6m for next LawtechUK phase
Next phase in programme aims to 'share the benefits of innovation more widely'.
Naming solicitor makes story 'more interesting for editors', judge says
Solicitor said she was anxious and scared about personal details coming out in employment tribunal case.
In depth: Groundhog day on legal services regulation
An independent review of the Legal Services Board has revived debate about the case for a root-and-branch review of professional regulation. But we’ve been here before – many times.
Ellis paved the way to abolition
The conditional pardon granted to Ruth Ellis, hanged 71 years ago, was probably the best her supporters could have hoped for.
Love too dear for Lammy
Lord chancellor chooses last day of parliamentary term to unveil reforms to ‘archaic’ rules governing weddings.
Global giant prepares to axe 10% of staff worldwide
K&L Gates says it needs to 'streamline our support structure' to meet future demand.
Barrister bomb hoax plotter loses appeal against conviction
Businessman was jailed for 'attack on the system of justice itself’.
Lawyers at risk in Zimbabwe, UN told
Law Society urges UN to scrutinise Zimbabwe over intimidation, attacks and politically motivated prosecutions targeting lawyers and human rights defenders.
Lady chief justice rebukes attorney general over Fordingbridge inaccuracies
Spokesperson for AG says Lord Hermer has been ‘staunch defender of the independence of the judiciary’.
Profits up 14% at 'more focused' A&O Shearman
Two years after merger, the firm is 'more focused, and advising on a greater share of its clients’ most significant matters'.
Consumer watchdog repeats call for a single legal regulator
Multiple tribunals and disciplinary bodies 'undermine fairness, transparency, and public confidence', says panel.
Judge criticises CAFCASS reporter for failing to follow court directions
Advisory service employee ‘entirely abdicated the duty placed upon her’.
Lord chancellor 'failing' on statutory legal aid duty, MPs warn
Justice committee warns of 'unacceptably high risk' of miscarriages of justice due to shrinking availability of legal aid.
SRA reforms compensation fund levy
This year’s cash call on solicitors is unprecedented, but individuals will shoulder more of the burden under revised funding plans.
Snap consultation on JR curbs for infrastructure projects
Government unveils plans to curb legal challenges for major housing, energy and transport projects.
Profits back on the up as TLT passes £200m revenue
National firm states desire to plan ahead for what business will look like in 2040.
Beach, castle or cruise? MoJ consults on wedding venues
As parliament winds down for summer, the Ministry of Justice finally opens consultation on weddings law reform.
SRA drops appeal in Carter-Ruck partner 'SLAPP' case
Regulator also agrees to pay the costs of the appeal over SDT's dismissal.
Juries can cope with complex trials, says landmark Fisher fraud review
Part 2 of Jonathan Fisher KC’s review - Fraud in the Digital Age - makes 47 recommendations to reduce the ‘growing scale’ of fraud.
Convicted stalker to face SDT
Andrew Milne was convicted of stalking following a seven-day trial at Stratford magistrates’ court earlier this year.
MoJ finally unveils £34m funding plan for criminal bar
Government opens consultation more than seven months after announcing legal aid cash.
Longstanding Yorkshire firm crosses border for the first time
Ison Harrison says new base is a big milestone for the employee-owned business.
We won a cup
Law Society Yacht Club crew shines in renowned 51-mile race.
Foot Anstey seeks committal of LiP over injunction breaches
Judgment reserved over 'harassing communications’ with firm acting in dispute over will.
'Deliberately obfuscatory' class action claimants hit with costs
Claimant firm Pogust Goodhead fended off questions about funding for three years, Competition Appeal Tribunal rules.
SRA ethics training plans 'too prescriptive'
Birmingham Law Society says shakeup of continuing competence could add £100m to cost of providing legal services.
CILEX to campaign for Legal Services Act review
Chief executive wants legal executives to be firmly established as third branch of the legal profession.
Bar is wrong on asylum appeal reform, Mahmood tells MPs
Home secretary points to magistrates, parole board members and planning inspectors as justification for tribunal reform.
Solicitor convicted of sexual assault struck off the roll
Judge said practitioner had already lost his good name as member of the community.
London 'tort burden' set to exceed the US, says industry lobby
Legal costs as a share of GDP are increasing at an average annual rate of nearly 13%.
CPS apologises over AI hallucinations in court documents
Episode highlights the risks of AI use without appropriate oversight, High Court judge warns in extradition judgment.
Blame it on Kane
Press party is shelved to make way for Wednesday's big match.
City partner fined £25,000 over payments to yacht owner
SRA says now-retired solicitor disregarded obligations by allowing client account to be used as a banking facility.
NHS closes 30% fewer claims after system disruption
NHS Resolution also reveals defence spending rose more quickly than claimant lawyer costs.
Family court judge's oral judgment an 'unwise course' says Court of Appeal
Written judgment should have been given ‘because of the nature and complexity of the issues’.
Memory lane
Red tape bonfire, WTO push, Labour reforms, simplified land registration and the right to write: a stroll down Gazette memory lane.
Double figure profit rise at Eversheds
Strong growth in corporate finance area boosts figures at top-50 firm.
Costs lawyers predict uncertainty after 'obviously incomplete' point allowed
Appeal judges say costs judge had ‘generous ambit’ in which to make a decision.
LSB ‘lost its way’ and failed consumers, scathing review finds
Ministers urged to reform legal services regulation amid damaging market failures.
'Hillsborough law' to resume parliamentary journey
Public Office (Accountability) Bill will return to House of Commons without duty of candour exemption for security services.
High Court rules for car makers in mammoth 'dieselgate' claim
Claimant firm in the Pan-NOx litigation considers appeal over ‘narrow’ legal interpretation.
District judge praised for 'mercy' towards brother-in-law over harassment
Making a consent order, judge says ‘the claimant’s forbearance…is commendable and humane’.
In depth: Burnham's devolution revolution
Justice and policing in Wales, control of regional funding and planning powers are the defining issues faced by PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham if he pursues plans for radical devolution. Downing Street (North or South) will also need to resolve key issues of scrutiny and accountability.
Restrictive rules hampering use of data, say magistrates
Lack of data is 'undermining public confidence in justice and causing policy decisions to be made without full evidence'.
Rovers returned
Corrie has done wonders for public legal education thanks in large part to Weatherfield’s resident duty solicitor.
In depth: Call for action over Windrush compensation
Seven years after the government set up a scheme to compensate victims of the Windrush scandal, solicitor Pauline Campbell has put forward three solutions to get the process up to speed.
Mushroom minefield
AI chatbot advises that mushroom variety called ‘destroying angel’ is good to eat.
Ref is fair game
European Court of Human Rights steps into global furore surrounding officiating of association football.
Stick to your own words rather than AI, judge tells LiP
Application to reconsider remedy judgment is refused by employment tribunal.
Society urges 'proportionate' approach to NDA advice requirement
Chancery Lane advises government to avoid reforms that create unnecessary barriers.
Slow progress on judicial diversity
Female and ethnic minority representation is rising but the number of solicitor-judges is shrinking, according to annual diversity statistics.
Magistrate appointment ‘boom’ as government pushes on with court reforms
More than 1,600 magistrates were appointed in 2025/26 - but net gain in numbers is only 600, association says.
Birss is next master of the rolls
Sir Colin Birss and Lord Justice Warby will replace Sir Geoffrey Vos and Dame Victoria Sharp respectively.
City watchdog targets consumer champion over law firm links
Consumer Voice should not have standing in motor finance case because it has failed to comply with duty of candour, says FCA.
Common law can cope with AI harms, say experts
UK Jurisdiction Taskforce notes that professionals could be liable for failure to use AI.
SRA takes aim at litigation funding
Proposed new requirements focus on 'one of the areas of greatest harm and risk: third-party litigation funding'.
Solicitor who ‘abandoned’ firm leading to £160,000 shortfall is suspended
Sole practitioner lacked integrity and had ‘caused direct harm to his clients’, SDT finds.
Royal pardon for last woman to be hanged in UK
Lord chancellor describes conditional pardon of Ruth Ellis as an act of mercy recognising an historic injustice.
City watchdog charges solicitor with insider dealing
Ex-Goodwin practitioner worked on a corporate acquisition and allegedly used information obtained to deal in securities.
Protocol formalises reporting of judicial bullying concerns
Agreement between bar and judiciary ‘is an important piece in the jigsaw to breaking down reporting barriers’.
Written advice requirement could make NDA plan 'unworkable'
Government consultation on tighter conditions for a non-disclosure agreement to be valid closes today.
Criticism of referees protected under freedom of expression, ECtHR rules
Comments about impartiality are ‘common in the context of football competitions’, Strasbourg court finds.
Limitation 'camouflage' plot in Mail hacking trial
Judge deals with 'serious allegations' after dismissing seven high-profile individuals' claims of illegal behaviour by newspaper.
Mahmood defiant on asylum appeals reform
Home secretary insists new appeals body will be independent and rejects accusation that she is prioritising speed over justice.
Ombudsman misses targets amid soaring complaint numbers
Annual report shows residential conveyancing remains by far the largest source of grievance.
‘Rude’ district judge sanctioned for throwing barrister out of court
Office-holder’s conduct ‘compounded by the barrister being excluded in front of the parties’.