Solicitor 'indecently assaulted murder defendant before court appearance'
Plymouth practitioner denies 30 charges and is currently on trial at Winchester Crown Court.
Former council head of legal wins racial harassment case
Employment tribunal rules it was reasonable for solicitor to be offended by 'implicit suggestion' made unintentionally by chief executive.
Naturist fears northern judges' 'unconscious bias'
Judicial review claim is believed to be only the second naturism case to reach the High Court.
Have your say on pay: judges invited to contribute to call for evidence
Senior Salaries Review Body particularly keen for fee-paid and salaried judges to submit individual responses.
LLP members must verify identities in Companies House crackdown
Only one million of the estimated seven million directors, PSCs and LLP members are thought to have complied with rules in force from today.
Contempt laws violate freedom of expression - Law Commission
Law reform body sets out a new 'liability framework' to clarify sector 'beset by some significant problems'.
CILEX to appeal seismic Mazur ruling
Professional body says it wants to challenge principle of litigation ruling.
Judge lambasts 'unattractive, unconscionable opportunism' over LiP's mistake
Law firm ‘sought to capitalise’ upon an error by a former receptionist who mistakenly withdrew her employment tribunal claim.
In depth: Ode to the Just - artist's tribute to the legal profession
Artist Helen Cammock, commissioned to produce artwork to mark the Law Society’s bicentenary, wants solicitors to know that the law is nothing without its guardians.
Mahmood to tackle 'thicket of laws' frustrating legitimate asylum removals
Reforms must respect right to fair hearing, Law Society says as home secretary sets out new appeals process.
Dedicate 20% of billable time to AI studies, international firm tells juniors
Profession addressing how to equip newly qualified lawyers with AI and automation skills.
A subtext for a moral crusade?
‘It’s a witch-hunt,’ said my friend Tony, referring to the Windsor-Giuffre saga.
Ashurst transatlantic merger creates top-20 global firm
'Combination of equals' will have 3,000 lawyers and a turnover exceeding £2bn.
Top-200 Midlands firm acquired in pre-pack deal
HCR Law says it will be ‘business as usual’ for clients of Wright Hassall, which had fallen into administration.
Costs budgeting applies in £340m group claim, Uber told
High Court rules that claimants need visibility of the costs that are likely to be incurred.
Dozens of litigation assistants face threat of redundancy at national firm
Irwin Mitchell planning to reduce paralegal headcount and increase use of AI in restructure of support staff.
No separate route for LAA cyber attack compensation
Fee uplifts for housing and immigration also delayed while digital systems being restored.
Rightmove targeted in £1bn competition class action
Opt-out claim funded by Innsworth Capital on behalf of thousands of estate agents will allege abuse of dominant market position.
Brazil judgment 'vindication', says Goodhead as solicitors consider court's findings
Today's High Court judgment which found mining giant BHP to be ‘strictly liable as polluters' for a dam disaster in Brazil has been described as a ‘watershed moment’ for English law.
Sara Sharif review reveals family court failings
Child Safeguarding Practice Review raises concerns about the process for private law proceedings.
Dam collapse 'could have been averted' by BHP, judge finds
Mining giant, together with local partner, was directly and/or indirectly responsible for operating the Fundão tailings dam.
Father's £1.8m demands against lawyers 'tantamount to blackmail'
Judge says harassment from litigant in person is beyond irritating, upsetting or annoying.
In depth: Criminal courts system cannot survive as it currently stands, says Leveson
Former Queen’s Bench Division president warns that the criminal justice system faces collapse if the government does not adopt the ‘broad thrust’ of his proposals. Spending more money or increasing sitting days simply won’t cut it.
Aspiring solicitor hit with costs over 'doomed to fail' ET claim
Judge finds that claimant had behaved unreasonably in her conduct of employment tribunal proceedings.
BHP 'strictly liable' for Brazil dam collapse pollution
High Court hands down 222-page judgment in £36bn collective action on behalf of 620,000 Brazilians.
Investment in tech sees City surge ahead of regional firms
Benchmarking survey finds partner profit pools at City firms grew 12% this year, while regional firms suffered an 11% fall.
Letby lawyer calls for expert witness regulation
Barrister tells Bond Solon conference that experts must see themselves as officers of the court.
Judgment day for Brazil dam collapse mega-claim
Mrs Justice O’Farrell will hand down her judgment on Friday at 9.30am.
Judges' safety a growing concern, lady chief justice reports
'Inaccurate and unfair criticism, sometimes personal, with associated security threats' are part of an increasingly challenging landscape.
Chief constable in contempt over 'wholly ignored' order
‘Orders made against public bodies – and for the avoidance of doubt I include police forces within that – are expected to be obeyed.’
Top sports lawyer and his firm shut down over dishonesty suspicions
Firm had been accused of copying opponent’s budget in High Court case this year.
'No quick fix' for authorisation nightmare, legal executives told
Legislative change and grandfathering of litigation rights likely to take months.
Memory lane
An unsuccessful challenge to a parking fine, rights of audience and German inventions: a stroll down Gazette memory lane.
Class action champion Merricks steps in to trains case
Veteran solicitor to take on new group litigation challenge despite 'unedifying saga' of Mastercard funding row.
Victims commissioner Newlove dies after short illness
She was ‘defined by courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice’, says deputy prime minister and lord chancellor David Lammy.
Criminal justice crisis cuts Leveson short
Justice committee chair forced to wrap up meeting after 73 minutes.
Firm's top earner collects £2.6m after profit surge
Positive results coming from both ends of the civil claims market.
Chambers obtains £2.75m money judgment over alleged fraud
Master McQuail grants summary judgment finding ‘there is simply no prospect of any defence being advanced’.
Solicitors failed to find out if claim form had been issued
Court delayed sending sealed claim form but judges say it had still been issued.
Attorney general launches programme to engage youth on justice
Initiative aims to ‘empower the next generation to lead conversations about justice in their communities’.
Longer Acas conciliation period won’t fix tribunal backlog, lawyers warn
From 1 December the window for mandatory conciliation of employment disputes doubles from six to 12 weeks.
Flying visit
This year's motivational speaker at the IBA was Jeff Skiles, the veteran first officer of US Airways Flight 1549 which landed in the Hudson River.
Leveson defends plan to curb jury trials
More sitting days and cash not enough to save the criminal justice system from collapse, Sir Brian Leveson tells MPs.
Pogust Goodhead to face former legal chief's 'whistleblower' claim
Ex-partner of class action firm is bringing claims of unfair dismissal and suffering a detriment due to exercising rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act.
RCJ's Banksy is screened off again
Scrubbed graffiti's shadow was attracting a steady stream of visitors.
Solicitor cleared of any wrongdoing over costs
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal finds schedule ‘reflected the agreement in place at the relevant time’.
MoJ to issue divorce reform consultation 'by spring'
Government says piecemeal approach to reform risks creating new disputes and injustices.
'A degree of dual regulation' will follow AML reform, government admits
Firms in scope of money laundering regulation could have to register and pay fees to two bodies.
School must reconsider demand to reveal legal bill
First-tier tribunal finds freedom of information request was non-vexatious.
First solicitor suspended in fallout from Liverpool firm's collapse
Spiralling debts and winding-up petitions at High Street Solicitors were not disclosed to SRA investigator.
When the cap doesn’t fit
Appearance of courts minister Sarah Sackman in Toronto last week was a welcome surprise.
Partnership advisers sound alarm over LLP tax raid
Speculation about new tax on partnerships continues to mount ahead of 26 November budget.
Rugby group claimants argue against 'oppressive' order
Former players contest strike-outs over alleged breach of a ‘punitive’ order.
PI firm branches out into family
Private equity-backed Fletchers announces acquisition of Hayden's Solicitors.
AI-generated expert report a 'gross breach of duty'
High Court judge highlights dangers of AI at Bond Solon Expert Witness Conference.
Barrister wins £250 top-up for 'entire weekend' of work
Legal aid practitioner had challenged decision to award him £400 plus VAT for grounds of appeal.
In depth: 10 key takeaways from this year’s Bond Solon Expert Witness Survey
Majority support for some form of regulation, the use of AI and the risk of acting in high-profile cases are among the key takeaways from this year’s Bond Solon Expert Witness Survey.
Paper systems to blame for prison release fiasco says Lammy
'Specialist team of engineers, analysts and designers will be deployed to roll out cutting-edge technology,' lord chancellor says.
Is Kardashian legal drama really that bad?
Reality TV star plays a divorce lawyer in a glossy new US legal drama. What's not to love? Apparently a lot.
Asda accused of 'wishful thinking' over right to mandarin orange
Asda says its 'Tang Gold' mandarin is derived from a distinct variation of orange to the Nadorcott, which is protected.
Law Society unveils equality and diversity blueprint
Strategy is fruit of year-long project in which people from across profession were invited to share views through focus groups and interviews.
More tech woe at Legal Aid Agency as go-live date missed
Agency will not meet target for restoring IT system for civil legal aid work following the recent cyber-attack.
In Focus: IBA 2025, Toronto - will AI 'delete lawyers'?
This week’s IBA conference was consumed by the revolutionary implications of artificial intelligence. Seventeen breakout sessions were devoted to the topic, ranging from working practices to billing.
Expert witnesses back formal regulation – Bond Solon/Gazette survey
Annual bellwether finds six out of 10 expert witnesses believe sector should be properly regulated.
Solicitor's 'cherished' sole practice destroyed by fraudsters
Owner of Oxfordshire firm suspended for 18 months after failing to carry out 'rudimentary identity checks'.
Former Liverpool footballer's appeal bid 'totally without merit'
Mr Justice Mellor finds Steve Finnan's bankruptcy petition appeal ‘was at all times…completely hopeless’.
Land Registry promises 'near-instant' service by 2035
HM Land Registry admits legacy systems not serving conveyancers well and property system too slow.
Child prostitution convictions to be expunged under bill amendments
Amendments to Crime and Policing Bill is ‘significant step towards building a justice system that can offer better, more survivor-centred outcomes’.
Solicitors win trial fee in cracked case appeal
Harwood Solicitors showed that a bad character application would usually be dealt with mid-way through a trial.
Pogust Goodhead distances itself from departed founder
Following leak of internal investigation to the press, class action firm says it had put the ‘chapter firmly behind us’.
Tom Daley takes a deep dive into the law
Nothing gets the delegates at the International Bar Association going like a celebrity appearance.
Four in 10 criminal duty solicitors aged 55 or older
Thinktank says people's basic right to legal advice at severe risk with existing workforce close to retirement.
Immigration solicitor struck off after admitting misleading asylum client
Partner’s removal from the roll was the ‘only appropriate and proportionate sanction’, SDT says.
Law firm chief 'proud' to be LCCSA's first black male president
Jason Lartey calls for collaborative action to encourage younger solicitors to work in the criminal justice system.
Human rights champion Bindman dies at 92
London firm Bindmans announces death of founder.
Fieldfisher grows with Ireland merger
Combination with Regan Wall part of a wider international expansion strategy.
Ombudsman floats 12.1% budget boost to handle 'unprecedented' level of complaints
Business plan for 2026/27 proposes 'transformation review to explore radical options for reform'.
Inspirational women solicitors honoured
Lifetime achievement award for former Court of Appeal judge and crossbench peer Heather Hallett.
Call for intelligence hub to 'prevent another SSB Law'
Legal Services Consumer Panel member says the SRA must change its 'culture of complacency'.
Magic circle junior who lied in his pupillage application struck off
Former Slaughter and May associate claimed to have won prize for best overall performance during his final Cambridge year.
IBA 2025: Justice minister calls for debate on AI judges
Sackman says legal system must be prepared for AI-led decisions becoming the norm within a decade.
ECHR chief questions whether states 'will still be worthy' of treaty in future
Alain Berset was speaking on the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights.
PI giant announces Swiss private equity investment
Express Solicitors received the funding from Ufenau Capital Partners to ‘accelerate growth’ in its personal injury work.
AI image copyright judgment a 201-page 'damp squib'
High Court dismisses copyright infringement claim brought over 'scraping' of millions of digital pictures.
Barrister allowed to return to practice after causing death by dangerous driving
Practitioner was jailed for 23 months over the death of 84-year-old Michael Lupton in Ampleforth, North Yorkshire.
I'll get my coat: insecure items
The dangers of leaving belongings unattended.
Law societies urge Reeves not to abolish LLP 'tax breaks'
City lawyers seek Treasury talks in bid to fend off budget reforms that could cost high-earning partners well over £100,000 annually.
Solicitor agrees £4,273 fine over 'high risk' £9.1m transfer
Former practitioner made no financial gain as a result of the conduct, Solicitors Regulation Authority says.
IBA 2025: Renowned law firms still email sensitive documents, says silk
Human rights barrister says she is targeted by hackers when cases involve China, Saudi Arabia or Iran.
IBA 2025: Trump using justice department as his own plaything, says top defence lawyer
'Any lawyer who speaks the truth in front of a judge gets fired,' Nancy Hollander tells global bar.