Digital assets to be recognised as personal property following legislative update
Digital assets are to be formally recognised in law after the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act received Royal Assent. Previously, many digital assets, including cryptocurrency or non-fungible tokens, had undefined legal rights. The updated legislation will formally recognise digital assets as personal property in the eyes of the law, allowing them to be treated in the same way […]
Government’s ‘swift and fair’ courts plan erodes rights, Law Society says
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice David Lammy has announced plans to modernise the criminal courts and cut delays, in reforms he said would deliver ‘swift and fair’ justice for victims. But the Law Society of England and Wales says the proposals ‘erode the right to be judged by our own peers’ […]
Reform of rape trials proposals will aim to stop victims ‘dropping out of the system’
Proposals outlined in the Law Commission’s ‘Evidence in sexual offences prosecutions’ published earlier this year have been taken forward by government with better support for victims of rape and fairer trials part of new proposals. Deputy prime minister, David Lammy, said the proposals have been introduced to stop victims of rape ‘dropping out of the […]
Harmful rhetoric and mistrust of legal profession undermine the rule of law, House of Lords report finds
The rule of law is under threat from a lack of access to justice, mistrust of the legal profession and politicians, and a lack of education and knowledge, according to a new report from the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution. The report – the result of a nine-month long inquiry including 14 […]
CILEX granted permission to appeal Mazur ruling
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has been granted permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the Mazur judgment. Although not party to the original proceedings, CILEX applied for permission earlier this month, relying on the Court of Appeal’s discretion to permit an appeal brought by a person adversely affected by the […]
CILEX asks for permission to appeal Mazur ruling
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has applied for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the Mazur judgment, the High Court ruling that legal executives cannot conduct litigation, even under supervision by authorised firms. In a statement issued yesterday, CILEX said it ‘has held serious concerns’ about the ruling from Mr Justice Sheldon since it […]
Government launches effort to stop deep-fake child sexual abuse images at source
New powers will see government authorise designated bodies like AI developers and child protection organisations to scrutinise artificial intelligence (AI) models, and ensure safeguards are in place to prevent them generating or proliferating child sexual abuse material, including indecent images and videos of children. Currently, criminal liability to create and possess such materials means developers can’t carry out […]
Solicitors conflicted about client account risks, survey finds
Many UK solicitors believe the risks associated with client accounts have grown in recent years, but are concerned losing control of the accounts would impair their ability to deliver services effectively, according to a new survey. The survey of over 300 solicitors in UK law firms, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of payment platform Shieldpay, […]
Law Society launches new EDI strategy
The Law Society of England and Wales has launched a new equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy for the solicitors’ profession. The strategy forms a key part of the Law Society’s 2025-2028 corporate strategy and promotes a more diverse, open and inclusive profession. The strategy is the result of a robust foundation of member engagement, […]
Time limit for prosecution over the sharing of intimate images extended from 6 months to 3 years
Victims of intimate images shared online will have six times longer to come forward as amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill propose extending the current time limit from six months, to three years. People who take or share intimate images without consent will be prosecuted up to three years after the event. As previously […]
Guidance on the use of AI published for Judicial Office Holders
HM Courts and Tribunals Service has published updated guidance for Judicial Office Holders on the use of tools which use artificial intelligence. The guidance, which replaces the previously published document from April 2025, reminds office holders of the principle of personal responsibility for any material produced in their name said Lord Justice Birss, Lead Judge […]
SRA ‘concerned by continued non-compliance’ with source of funds checks
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has reviewed ‘a substantial body of data’ for a thematic review of source of funds and wealth compliance, and says it is ‘concerned by the continued levels of non-compliance’. Data gathered through proactive supervision work over three years has consistently shown that compliance with source of funds requirements remains a […]
LeO reveals ‘significant rise’ in demand for help, with poor communication and delays most common complaints
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has released its annual complaints data and insight for 2024/25, which reveals an increase in demand for help that has continued to rise significantly in the first half of 2025/26. The report – which covers complaints received and resolved by the LeO between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 – […]
KC to lead review of stalking laws
An independent review of staling laws has been announced by the government as part of its efforts to halve violence against women and girls as the latest statistics show 1.4 million people over 16 experienced stalking last year, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales. The government day there is also evidence of […]
Fee to remove personal details from Insolvency Register and the Gazette to be scrapped
The government have announced the current £318 fee to have personal details removed from the Insolvency Register and the official public record, the Gazette is to be scrapped. The Person at Risk of Violence (PARV) Order fees will no longer be applied from November meaning vulnerable people, including those fleeing domestic abuse and people involved […]
AML regime responsibility to pass to FCA amid ‘blitz on pointless admin’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will become the Single Professional Services Supervisor (SPSS) for anti-money laundering (AML) as part of her ‘blitz’ on ‘pointless admin’ In an effort to save £6bn per year by 2029 the chancellor has announced sweeping changes to business bureaucracy at a Regional Investment Summit in […]
SSB case reflects ‘deeper vulnerabilities’ in legal services with regulatory overhaul needed
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) must ‘overhaul its complaints handling and risk assessment processes,’ introduce better safeguarding measures for clients, be more proactive about redress for consumers, and embed a consumer culture for better outcomes as the fallout from the report into the failure of SSB Group continues. A report published by the Legal Services […]
Law Society publishes Mazur practice note
Following on the from the continued fallout from the landmark Mazur decision, which has raised the spectre of unqualified staff being unable to conduct litigation work, even under supervision, the Law Society has moved to publish a new practice note for litigation solicitors. Mazur considered whether a non-authorised person is entitled to conduct litigation under […]
‘Antiquated’ approach to domestic abuse damaging survivors and children says Domestic Abuse Commissioner
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales has taken aim at what is described as ‘antiquated’ thinking amongst some of the legal profession when it comes to domestic abuse cases and the courts. The comments come from a comprehensive report into the way domestic abuse is dealt with in the family justice system published […]
SRA ‘knew’ SSB was failing nearly a year before it collapsed as it faces enforcement action
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) faces enforcement action in the wake of its failure to properly regulate failed Sheffield law firm SSB Group; missing the opportunity to respond ‘effectively or efficiently’ despite more than 100 reports relating to SSB’s activity from January 2019 to March 2024. A report published by the Legal Services Board (LSB) suggests […]