Law firms may be required to notify the SRA when planning M&A activity
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has launched a consultation into plans for law firms to notify the regulator of proposed merger and acquisition activity, as part of its next phase of work examining client money and consumer protection. Expanding on the work already done around requiring law firms to provide more regular accounts and separating […]
Law Society shares ‘widespread and serious concerns’ over SRA funding increase proposals
The Law Society of England and Wales says it has “widespread and serious concerns” over the proposed increase in funding the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is seeking in its 2026-2027 business plan. In its response to the business plan consultation, the representative body said there was “insufficient evidence underpinning some proposals” and the SRA risked […]
Family lawyer fined £17,500 after improperly obtaining litigant in person’s confidential contact details
A family lawyer has been fined £17,500 after the Solicitor’s Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) found he took unfair advantage of a litigant in person and improperly obtained and disclosed her confidential contact details during private law children proceedings. Clive Graham Wood was admitted in 1982 and practised as a sole practitioner at CGW Law. In the […]
Social media ban could create new battleground for separated parents, lawyers say
The government’s proposed social media ban for under-16s could create a new battleground for separated parents, family lawyers at HCR Law have warned. The proposals, which are intended to protect children from harmful online content and excessive social media use, could add a new dimension to disputes between separated parents over, the lawyers claim. Andrew […]
Treasury publishes response to consultation on transferring AML supervision to FCA
HM Treasury has published its consultation response to the transfer of anti-money laundering (AML) supervision to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Announced as part of a “blitz on pointless admin” by chancellor Rachel Reeves, the FCA is to become the single professional services supervisor (SPSS) for AML by 2029. Much of the current expectations on […]
How do law firms market themselves? Complete this year’s survey
An annual analysis of how law firms market themselves has launched its latest survey. The Professional Services Marketing Survey will collect data on the last 12 months as it seeks to identify the trends and impact of marketing in professional services. Now in its sixth year, the survey initially looked at how law firms marketed […]
An examination of divorce, four years on from no-fault divorce
UK Managing Director of the largest family law business Rachel Roberts of Stowe Family Law reflects on the impact of no fault divorce, four years on from the landmark legislation. She share her views on how family law structures and the law surrounding them do not keep pace with societal change. Alongside this clients’ expectations […]
Why the cost of arbitration is often overstated
Family lawyer Nigel Shepherd discusses the impact of delays on legal fees and case evidence and says the continued uncertainty for families leaves them unable to move on with their lives. The focus should not be on the costs of out-of-court dispute resolution, he suggests, but the cost of delay. Describing arbitration as one of […]