Tax adviser legislation will place ‘undue burden’ on legal professionals, says Law Society
Conveyancers particularly at risk, as tax commentator Dan Neidle also warns that measures will not thwart ‘bad actors’.
Sort out conveyancing to fix ‘broken’ homebuying process, says top mortgage lender
Respondents to a Santander survey complained of delays and uncontactable solicitors, as the sector continues to shrink.
Immigration contract terminated due to 'extraordinary chain of events'
Director believes firm would still have legal aid contract if founder who has since died had not fallen ill.
Costs order overturned over litigator's absent practising certificate
’The person conducting litigation must be authorised to do so, or fall within one of the exempt categories,’ rules Mr Justice Sheldon.
Family court sitting days to be cancelled in 2026 reshuffle
Short hearings could be rescheduled and longer hearings double-listed in response to limited allocation.
Retired City partner sues Labour over council candidacy rebuff
Ex-Simmons partner fails with application for expedited trial in 'important case for the Labour party that needs to be taken seriously'.
Law Commission U-turns on separate framework for disabled children
Critics said original proposal would have complicated the law and made it harder to identify children's wider needs.
Leading London firm doubles down on diversity targets
Mishcon De Reya stresses that it will retain detailed targets for wider representation of minority groups at the firm.
Disbarred silk resigns county cricket chairmanship
Barrister who lied about Oxford education steps down from Essex board within days of ban.
Late-qualified solicitor 'out of his depth' before career-ending mistake
Activity log revealed that practitioner removed client email to conceal fact he had not dealt with it.
Memory lane
Fixed fees for crime work, Enduring Powers of Attorney Act and the first woman to sit on the High Court bench: a stroll down Gazette memory lane.
'No more David v Goliath': New Hillsborough Law to level legal playing field
Government hails largest expansion of legal aid in a decade, in legislation that solicitor campaigner says could 'transform the face of British justice'.
Knights plots potential growth to 50 offices
Chief executive says firm needs to increase brand awareness after opening so many offices.
Paralegal jobs at Freshfields put at risk
Up to 20 jobs in Manchester office at risk of redundancy as firm seeks to 'keep pace with a fast-changing legal market'.
Trials disrupted as prison video link fails
Ministry of Justice warns problems could continue this week.
Obituary: Her Honour Judge Valerie Pearlman CBE
Pioneering woman barrister and judge gave a judicial summing up from a hospital bed.
Parents hid tracking devices in children's gifts, court hears
Family judge dismisses parent’s evidence, finding devices were ‘part of wider plan’ to remove children from foster care.
AI platform buys existing firm as law embraces new tech
AI bot can easily pass the SQE and handles time-consuming paperwork.
Costs order for lawyer over 'abusive' conduct of tribunal claim
Employment judge orders lawyer pay £20,000 to Medway Council, finding it was ‘unreasonable’ for her to continue proceedings.
In depth: Bar bullying - 'culture of impunity for those at the top'
Following Harriet Harman’s damning independent review into misconduct, bar chair Barbara Mills KC says this is a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity to change its culture’.
Demand for answers as SSB Law clients have loan debts cancelled
Former clients say they had no idea they were signing up to high-interest loans.
Water way to raise money
Dispute resolution partner at City firm takes on a solo swim across the English Channel.
Lawyers cut out as FCA tries to close motor finance floodgates
HD Law could be forgiven for expecting its Supreme Court win to open the floodgates for more cases involving hidden commissions in motor finance deals, but the City regulator has other ideas.
John Eddowes, the polymath of Carey Street
Obiter was saddened to learn of the death of one of the great characters of legal London.
Solicitor quitting frontline conveyancing laments 'thankless job'
Pardeep Kandola to raise challenges of the job with Law Society vice-president.
Barrister's Oxford falsehood leads to disbarment
Tribunal chair laments silk's 'reckless, foolish and completely unnecessary lie'.
Obituary: Ralph Bell
Principal of Torquay firm Ralph E Bell & Co had a strong reputation for legal aid work and a willingness to take on complex, often challenging cases.
Banking on damage limitation
When HMCTS really wants to fix a bit of damage to its estate, it moves at a blazing pace.
Action plan to cut 'unacceptable' family court waiting times
Legal sector representative bodies highlight need for more investment following shocking report from MPs on delays.
Rookie solicitor working in 'chaotic' firm cleared of dishonesty
Newly-qualified Colchester practitioner had little understanding of how court processes worked.
AI will monitor offenders to 'prevent crime before it happens'
Technology is being tested in four probation regions and will see those on licence kept under additional surveillance.
Legal professionals remain hesitant over digital justice services
Ministry of Justice publishes evaluation of digital services introduced under the HMCTS reform programme.
The ultimate all-rounder? NQ solicitor balances law, cricket and commentary
A packed schedule of sport and media work was no barrier to qualifying as a solicitor.
Family justice system 'badly letting children down', MPs warn
More than 4,000 children are involved in cases yet to be resolved after 100 weeks.
'The best ****ing night of our lives'
Following on from the park baseball boys (1 August), I did defend other brothers who were a bit more venal. They lived near the old cinema in the Caledonian Road, which seemed to show endless Randolph Scott double bills. It was also conveniently near Pentonville Prison, from which another client, ...
All the right notes
Solicitor-composer brings a series of concerts to London.
Former police complaints commissioner appointed public advocate
Cindy Butts to support victims of major tragedies and their families in landmark public advocate role.
Family law head cleared of misleading client over decree nisi
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal decides there was ‘no active misleading’ and senior practitioner had not acted recklessly.
Solicitor facing £120,000 bill for Royal Albert Hall ticket price suit
Holders of rights to permanent seats in the Proms venue disputed their entitlements under a ticket return scheme.
Staff at fast-growing firm to each receive 5% bonus
Profit and turnover both increasing during another successful year.
We need ECHR to stop small boat crossings, AG tells peers
Richard Hermer KC says European countries will refuse to do deals if UK quits European Convention on Human Rights.
Learning the lingo
Newly qualified solicitor Jeevan Singh Dhothar has obtained a GCSE in Punjabi.
Judges slash Dieselgate costs after claim for 30 attending lawyers
Court also alarmed at claim for 84 partner hours for each 45-minute meeting.
Family law head did not mislead clients, SDT hears
Solicitor denies acting dishonestly or recklessly in relation to keeping a client informed on her decree nisi.
Underfunding worst threat to rule of law, Law Society poll reveals
Rule of law subject of panel discussion hosted by journalist Emily Maitlis to mark Law Society's 200th anniversary.
Litigation funder broadens portfolio with consultancy investment
Deal opens the way for Burford Capital to invest in firms backed by specialist consultancy Kingsworth.
MoJ defends disputed evaluation of pre-recorded evidence
MPs question MoJ officials on why report reached a different conclusion to study conducted by eminent academic.
Ex-Dentons employee banned after drug smuggling conviction
SRA announces order imposed after Abu Dhabi conviction unrelated to legal practice.
Neidle match
Neither Dan Neidle nor Prem Sikka is publicity shy, nor found wanting when it comes to a dissenting opinion. All similarities end there.
Suspension for failing to properly assess client’s capacity
SDT also orders London sole practitioner pay £21,129.60 costs.
Convicted ex-solicitor's £1.1m property seized and sold
Serious Fraud Office announces its first use of an unexplained wealth order.
New legal aid portal nearly ready
Justice minister Sarah Sackman says new portal has already been tested by small group of practitioners.
Family law head who allegedly misled client over decree nisi faces SDT
Solicitor denies charges of acting recklessly in 2019 divorce case.
FCA clamps down on hundreds of motor finance claims promotions
Regulator states that consumers should not be seeking the help of lawyers in compensation claims.
London continues to lead in international arbitration
Government needs to invest more to maintain global standing, Chancery Lane says.
Wanted: new judicial appointments chief
Helen Pitcher, who previously led Criminal Cases Review Commission, will step down as JAC chair at the end of the year.
'Medic and cricket blue' barrister accused of lying on CV
Senior barrister has been accused of falsely claiming medical qualifications and sporting achievements to boost his career prospects.
Banksy comes to court
Work featuring a judge with gavel is promptly covered up.
Conveyancing giant making £5m a year in client account interest
Turnaround in fortunes reported by one of the UK's lead conveyancing outfits.
Sidhu case highlights 'systemic issues', Harman report finds
Bar Standards Board made 'significant failings' in the disciplinary hearing against Jo Sidhu KC, review concludes.
City lawyers attack Leveson jury plan
Fraud proposals ‘risk an absolute and eternal abolition of fundamental rights to ostensibly fix a relatively short-term problem’.
Managing partner suspended after backdating letter
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal also orders solicitor pay £24,885 in costs.
Judicial bullying: Harman probe finds ‘little accountability’
Independent review into bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the bar makes 36 recommendations.
Lammy is lord chancellor in Starmer’s reshuffle
Shabana Mahmood becomes home secretary in reshuffle following Angela Rayner's resignation from government over stamp duty underpayment.
Legal aid solicitor reprimanded over accounts rule breach
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal also orders long-serving practitioner to pay £8,000 costs.
News Focus: Reform UK’s plans for a ‘big beautiful reset bill’
A Reform government would take a wrecking ball to Blair-era reforms of the justice system, says Arron Banks.
Commercial leasehold, consent and corpses on law reform agenda
Law Commission unveils wide-ranging list of areas for potential reform, which will also include product liability and ownerless land.
Former patients of disgraced amputee surgeon demand clarity
Surgeon carried out amputations but had a secret sexual fetish for body modification.
Conveyancing firm denies giving Rayner tax advice
Deputy prime minister resigns after prime minister's ethics adviser reports on underpayment of stamp duty land tax.
Australian lawyer who submitted fake AI cases allowed to stay in practice
Regulators in different jurisdictions must deal with lawyers submitting AI-generated authorities to court.
'Promising progress': Minister hails fall in civil justice delays
Sarah Sackman says drop in waiting times show ‘promising progress’ after extra investment.
CoA judgment 'cements London’s position as the divorce capital of the world'
Lawyers say judgment in Potanina v Potanin (No.2) could open door ‘for second bite of the cherry’ in overseas divorces.
Conveyancing fraudster jailed over phantom home sales con
Fraudster sold supposedly repossessed properties that were still owned by other people.
Barrister named in tax avoidance first
Former solicitor designed four schemes which HMRC says 'do not work'.
Rayner's stamp duty statement prompts conveyancing warning
Deputy prime minister and housing secretary says she relied on 'incorrect' advice when she underpaid stamp duty land tax on her flat purchase in Hove.
Questioning judges' integrity is dangerous, Mahmood tells peers
Lord chancellor says recent political and media attacks on judges threaten their safety and undermine public confidence.
New victims’ commissioner appointed
Claire Waxman will replace Baroness Newlove who was appointed on an interim basis.
Junior suspended over single alteration to email
Regulator accepts inexperienced solicitor acted in panic and haste.
Administrators to probe payments by collapsing Liverpool firm
Insolvency experts consider applying for repayment of monies handed to third parties before 2024 closure.
Society will make it harder for solicitors to trigger SGMs
Two special general meetings have been convened in the past 15 years - both of them costly and controversial.
Mahmood defends sentencing veto
Lord chancellor asked at House of Lords Constitution Committee about row with Sentencing Council.
Yorkshire spree: Long-established firms snapped up in merger deals
Flint Bishop and Sills & Betteridge make inroads into white rose legal market.
Judiciary silent on justice secretary's sentencing veto
Judiciary declines to comment on new power that will enable justice secretary to veto Sentencing Council guidelines.
Tribunal throws out Mishcon de Reya 'whistleblower' claim
Singapore-based lawyer’s claim dismissed after judge rules employment tribunal did not have jurisidiction.
Disability rights solicitor struck off over hidden property assets
Tribunal says lawyer was dishonest and motivated by financial gain.
More time over appeal granted following ‘honest mistake’
Employment Appeal Tribunal judge grants extension, finding ‘we all make mistakes from time to time’.
Axiom Ince accountants fined for negligence
‘Red flag’ was a ‘missed opportunity’ for the SRA, says campaigning lawyer Dan Neidle.
Two thirds of lawyers using AI - though confidence lags
Nearly half of practitioners are still relying on 'general AI' rather than tools designed for legal sector.
Ombudsman's case fee compromise eases solicitors' concerns
Complaints handler accepted its initial proposals had not been welcomed by profession.
Lord chancellor grants herself veto on sentencing policy
Sentencing Council will no longer be able to issue guidelines without justice secretary and lady chief justice's approval.