Judge left with “no choice” but prison for repeated failures to comply with divorce rulings
The divorce of ultra-wealthy Russians has left a judge in the Royal Courts of Justice with ‘no choice’ but to place a suspended sentence on one party for repeated failures to comply with court rulings. The collapse of the 36 year marriage of Mikhail Kroupeev, non-executive chair of energy company Gulfsands, and Elena Kroupeeva has […]
Legal sector forms key part of government’s 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy
The government has confirmed its commitment to supporting and investing in the legal sector, laying out its plans in the 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy shared this week. In a statement to Parliament, the secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds said the strategy ‘focuses on the high-growth potential sectors that will drive prosperity […]
AML rules ‘a major burden’ government admits, as it brings forward reform plans
The government has acknowledged Anti Money Laundering (AML) regulations ‘are seen as a major burden’ to professional business service firms, and has pledged to reform the controversial rules by the end of the year. Writing in the Professional and Business Services Sector Plan, which sets out details of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy for the […]
MPs vote in favour of historic assisted dying bill
MPs have voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill which would in certain circumstances legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. After some last minute concerns by those in favour of the cause, the bill passed with a majority of just 23 votes with 314 MPs voted for the bill […]
Half of business owners ‘cutting staff and costs due to NIC increases’
Research from UK professional services firm S&W has found that more than half of business owners polled have, or are planning to, cut staff numbers in response to the increase in employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC). The research, which polled 500 UK business owners with turnovers of £5 million or more, found that 20% have […]
LSB survey finds higher prices, but availability of remote services offers greater choice
New research from the Legal Services Board (LSB) reveals the price of legal services is rising, but the transparency of the prices offered is improving and consumers are benefitting from more services being made available remotely. The Prices of Individual Legal Services in England and Wales looks at five commonly used legal services: conveyancing, divorce, power […]
PM u-turns on grooming gangs inquiry
Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer has apparently u-turned on the decision to hold an enquiry into grooming gangs, accepting the recommendations of Baroness Louise Casey and announcing a national inquiry will be conducted. The Prime Minister had previously indicated a national review into child sexual abuse by Professor Alexis Jay published in 2022 was sufficient […]
Hatton Family Law acquired by Stowe
Chatham specialist family law firm Hatton Family Law has been acquired by Stowe Family Law expanding the presence of the private-equity backed firm into the Southern Home Counties, said Stowe Chairman Ken Fowlie. Hatton Family Law joins Chapman Pieri, Watson Thomas Solicitors, Crisp & Co and Hawkins Family Law as another acquisition by Stowe, who […]
‘Urgent need’ for enhanced accountability and responsiveness when it comes to complaints – LSCP
There is an ‘urgent need’ for enhanced accountability and responsiveness across the legal services sector when it comes to providing clients with both information about redress and complaint, and handling complaints about services provided. A survey conducted by the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LCSP) has identified 46% of the Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO) investigations found poor […]
MPs to debate decriminalisation of abortion
The open debate on decriminalising abortion law will take place this week after Labour MP for Gower Tonia Antoniazzi tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to decriminalise the process without ‘changing anything about provision of abortion care.’ The debate had been due to take place last year but the general election meant […]
‘Severe sanctions’ for lawyers who fail to verify AI research, with a warning for managers
A High Court ruling related to the use of AI in legal proceedings has warned there will be ‘severe sanctions’ for lawyers who fail to comply with their professional obligations when using the technology. Managing partners and heads of chambers must demonstrate that ‘practical and effective measures’ have been taken to ensure every person providing […]
Spending review expected to inject cash into courts to tackle record backlogs
The spending review is expected to inject a 10% uplift in funding for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the courts to tackle record backlogs. It is understood Chancellor Rachel Reeves will allocate £250m to the courts system to recruit more prosecutors and reduce the backlog of cases which stood at a record 74,651 at […]
Law Society says Invest 2035 could be a ‘game changer’ for legal sector
Richard Atkinson, the president of the Law Society of England and Wales, says the government’s Invest 2035 industrial strategy has the potential to be ‘a game-changer for the UK economy and the legal sector’. The UK’s modern industrial strategy, announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves at the end of last year and set to be launched […]
Family firm’s judicial review of ombudsman decision upheld in part
A judicial review has overturned in part a decision by the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) to award a family law firm’s client over £50,000 after they complained the firm had failed to adequately assess capacity and charged excessive costs in a divorce matter. In a provisional decision in August 2023 LeO awarded £35,500 in recompense for […]
SRA seeks views on proposals to strengthen client complaints procedure
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is seeking views on new proposals for dealing with client complaints, which include changing when relevant information about the process must be provided and displaying the details prominently online. Although the SRA acknowledges that satisfaction with legal service providers is high, with 82% of all first-tier complaints resolved satisfactorily, it […]
LSB consultation risks ‘undervaluing’ work of regulators on ethics
Placing further ‘onerous duties on frontline regulators that will deliver little more than what is currently in place‘ was one of the comments from CILEX in response to the Legal Services Board’s ‘Upholding Professional Ethical Duties’ consultation which closed last week. Now The Law Society of England and Wales have weighed in on the consultation […]
Former journalist appointed as new Law Society deputy vice president
Former journalist Dana Denis-Smith OBE has been elected as the new deputy vice president of the Law Society of England and Wales, taking office from October 2025. Denis-Smith OBE spent a decade as a journalist before qualifying as a solicitor with Linklaters and is currently CEO of Obelisk Support, a legal services provider offering flexible legal solutions. She is […]
Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme increases two sentences
The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme has increased two sentences following referrals to the Court of Appeal. In one case, a carer who sexually abused a severely disabled child had their sentence extended from three years to eight years after the case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. In […]
Legal Aid Agency cyber incident update
The Legal Aid Agency continues to update its Frequently Asked Questions page following the cyber attack which has forced many of its systems offline. The page was created in the wake of the attack on 23rd April. Since then the agency has said the extent of the breach is worse than first feared with unconfirmed […]
No better time for financial advisers to enter divorce and separation market
There is no better time for financial advisors to enter the divorce and separation market according to a new report from membership body Resolution which estimates the value of the opportunity at around £1/2bn. ‘Unlock the divorce and separation market; a £500 million opportunity for financial advisers‘ has been published by Resolution in partnership with […]