Support Through Court launches ‘Residual Impact’ campaign to help more people access justice
Legal support charity Support Through Court has launched a new campaign encouraging law firms to release unclaimed client balances to help people facing court without a lawyer. Last year, Support Through Court assisted over 50,000 individuals without legal representation, guiding them through complex court systems and processes. Demand for this free service has surged as […]
96% of leaders are confident in their firm’s ability to comply with evolving AML regulations – report
96% of leaders are confident in their firm’s ability to comply with evolving anti-money laundering (AML) regulations but acknowledge staying up to date, ensuring staff are trained, and property completing client due diligence remain key compliance pain points. Despite a raft of firms being fines in recent weeks the inaugural UK Midsize Law Firm Priorities […]
Open consultation: Oversight and regulation of private prosecutors in the criminal justice system
This consultation outlines proposals for regulating and overseeing private prosecutors in England and Wales, including those using the Single Justice Procedure (SJP). These proposals aim to ensure that private prosecutors adhere to consistent standards and can be held accountable for their practices. The government aims to achieve three key objectives through this consultation: establish consistent […]
Knights strengthens South East presence with IBB Law LLP acquisition
Knights has strengthened its presence in the South East with the acquisition of IBB Law LLP for an initial £21 million. The acquisition will bring 140 lawyers to Knights – joining a team of more than 1,100 professionals delivering premium legal services to businesses and private clients from 26 locations nationwide. IBB, which reported revenue […]
Future of legal regulation discussed at CILEx roundtable
On Wednesday, 26th February 2025, CILEx Regulation (CRL), in collaboration with the Legal Services Board (LSB) and the Legal Services Consumer Panel, hosted a roundtable to discuss the future shape of legal regulation. The discussion was prompted by CRL’s research into the unregulated legal sector, published last year, which highlighted some significant trends in the […]
‘Momentous’ amends to Employment Rights Bill sees recognition for expectant parents who suffer miscarriage
A prominent family lawyer has won her fight to recognise the rights of expectant parents who suffer a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy following the inclusion of bereavement leave in an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill. Keeley Lengthorn, partner at RWK Goodman, began her efforts to see expectant parents who suffer miscarriage before […]
No More Week: Financial control in relationships across Essex and Suffolk
With No More Week (2nd – 8th March) raising awareness of domestic abuse and sexual violence, new research by Ellisons Solicitors in Essex and Suffolk highlights a lesser-known but highly damaging form of abuse; financial control. A survey of 267 local residents found that nearly 1 in 5 (19.48%) had either personally experienced or knew […]
Private equity firms have invested over £1.18bn into UK law firms since 2019
Since 2019, private equity firms have invested over £1.18 billion into UK law firms, with a record £534 million injected in 2024 alone, according to research by Acquira Professional Services. Traditionally resistant to external ownership, many firms are now reconsidering their stance, enticed by the potential for growth, digital transformation, and strategic expansion. The research […]
Ministry of Justice to increase 171 court and tribunal fees by inflation from April 2025
In early April 2025, and subject to parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Justice will increase 171 court and tribunal fees to account for changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The income generated from these uplifts will help to support the efficient and effective running of His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). The department […]
Gap in nations’ awareness of red flags of domestic abuse, survey reveals
New data commissioned by domestic abuse charity Refuge reveals the scale of domestic abuse is significantly underestimated, with only a quarter of UK adults (26%) aware that 1 in 4 women will experience it in their lifetime. While nearly 80% of people would report physical abuse, when it comes to the less obvious forms of […]
International Women’s Day: More new female solictors attained partner equivalent positions compared to their male counterparts
This International Women’s Day (8th March 2025), the Law Society of England and Wales encourages the profession to continue supporting women’s progress to senior levels. In 2023, more new female solicitors (832) attained partner equivalent positions compared to their male counterparts (522). Despite advancements, female solicitors still represent only 34% of partners or partner equivalents, […]
Legal sector continues to grow despite rising costs – The Law Society
Law firms saw steady growth in 2024, according to the Law Society’s new Financial Benchmarking Survey. The research shows that the legal sector remains resilient even in uncertain times, providing stability and contributing to the UK economy and overall prosperity. Law firms’ average earnings grew by 6.1% last year. While earnings are still growing, the […]
Paul Philip and Alan Kershaw announce departures from key legal regulatory roles
Paul Philip, chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), will retire towards the end of 2025 after nearly 12 years in the role, the regulator announced. His departure follows that of Alan Kershaw, chair of the Legal Services Board (LSB), who is stepping down immediately after less than two years in post, citing personal […]
Man who forced abortion has sentence increased by five years
Stuart Worby, 40, from Malthouse Court, Dereham, has had his sentence increased to 17 years after it was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. The court heard that in 2022, after failing to convince the victim to terminate her pregnancy, Worby administered two drugs designed […]
Solicitors firm fined over £31k by SRA for AML failings
Nexus Solicitors Limited, a Licensed Body, authorised and regulated by the SRA has agreed to pay a financial penalty in the sum of £31,217 for for failure to comply with money laundering regulations. Nexus Solicitors Limited will pay the costs of the investigation of £600, under Rule 10.1 and Schedule 1 of the SRA Regulatory […]
Solicitors firm fined over £4k by SRA for AML failings
Roche Legal Limited, a recognised body, authorised and regulated by the SRA has agreed to pay a financial penalty in the sum of £4,698 for for failure to comply with money laundering regulations. The SRA carried out an investigation into the firm following an inspection by our AML Proactive Supervision team. Their inspection identified areas […]
Refuge welcomes Ofcom’s draft VAWG guidance
Refuge has welcomed Ofcom’s draft Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Guidance, which was developed following successful sector-wide campaigning around the Online Safety Act. They have said that while they are pleased that the guidance incorporates some of Refuge’s recommendations, the fact that it is not legally binding means that it falls drastically short of […]
Guidance for family judges on how to write to children in family court proceedings
The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has published guidance for family judges on when, how and why to write to children in family court proceedings. The toolkit is the product of a collaboration between the judiciary, children and young people and other professionals who work in and around the family justice system. […]
Child criminal exploitation and cuckooing to be criminal offences
Children and vulnerable people who are exploited by gangs for criminal purposes will receive greater protection, with two new criminal offences set to be introduced by the government. Landmark legislation will be brought forward to ban cuckooing, a highly exploitative practice where criminals seize control of a vulnerable person’s home without consent to conduct illegal […]
High Court orders family law firm to pay costs over negligence in case preparation
A family law firm has been ordered to cover the costs of the opposing party after the High Court found it negligent in preparing a family case for a scheduled three-day hearing, as reported by The Law Society Gazette. Ms. Hannah Markham KC, sitting as a deputy High Court judge, ruled that Burnham Law Practice, […]