On 3 December 2024, the International Bar Association (IBA), in collaboration with the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, launched its Interim Report on the 50:50 by 2030 – gender disparity in the law project. The event brought together senior and emerging female leaders to discuss gender representation at the highest levels of the legal profession….
Korean national assembly passes the AI basic act
In December 2024, South Korea’s National Assembly passed the AI Basic Act, introducing a comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. South Korea now becomes the second jurisdiction after the EU to enact such legislation. Key Provisions of the AI Basic Act AI Industry Development: The Minister of Science and ICT must create a national AI…
European Court of Justice rules that the German prohibition of investing in a law firm for purely financial purposes is justified by the regulatory objective to ensure the independence of lawyers
In the long-awaited judgement in the case Halmer ./. Rechtsanwaltskammer München (Case C-295/23) delivered on December 19, 2024, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that a national law prohibiting the participation of purely financial investors in a law firm does not contravene against EU-law. The Court concluded that this restriction of the freedom of…
Arizona hits new milestone under loosened law firm ownership rules
Reuters has reported that Arizona’s Alternative Business Structures (ABS) programme, which allows non-lawyers to co-own law firms, has reached 101 approved entities as of September 2024. The Arizona Supreme Court recently approved seven more applicants, including an accident law firm and Rocket Lawyer. Arizona was the first U.S. state to legislate to remove non-lawyer ownership…
Malaysia’s legal profession act 1976 amendment bill on track to becoming law
On 6 December 2024, the Malaysian Bar issued a press release on the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill 2024 (“Amendment Bill”). Once enacted, the amendments to the Legal Profession Act 1976 (LPA 1976) will introduce significant reforms aimed at modernising the legal profession, improving lawyer welfare, and strengthening regulatory oversight. A key amendment will allow lawyers…
New York will adopt NextGen bar exam, considers shifts in state-law tests
The American Bar Association (ABA) Journal reports that the New York Court of Appeals has announced the adoption of the NextGen bar exam, making New York the 30th jurisdiction to implement the new format. While transitioning to NextGen, the state is also considering modifications to its state-specific law component, potentially introducing an in-person examination. The…
Consultation on the draft business plan and budget for 2025/26 of the Legal Services Board of England and Wales
The Legal Services Board (LSB) of England and Wales has proposed a new draft business plan for 2025/26, aiming to address systemic challenges in the legal sector and advance its ten-year strategy for delivering fairer outcomes, stronger confidence, and better services. This plan builds on previous initiatives while targeting new priorities to enhance regulation and…
Annual report of the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner
In its annual report, published on 28 October, the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSB+C) set out the results of its work on legal practice within the legal profession. has placed a strong focus on enhancing the experiences of both lawyers and consumers, marking a significant step forward in improving the quality and accessibility…
Phase 2 of the national study on wellness in the Canadian legal profession is released
The second phase of the national study on wellness in the Canadian legal profession, released in October 2024, provides critical insights into the mental, physical, and emotional challenges faced by legal professionals across Canada. Building on the 2022 findings from Phase I, this phase delves deeper into regional contexts, offering 12 distinct reports for law…
Dedicated guidance issued to support in-house solicitors in England and Wales
On 18 November 2024, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) released comprehensive guidance tailored to support the over 34,500 in-house solicitors working across England and Wales. This initiative, developed in response to stakeholder feedback and issues highlighted in the SRA’s 2023 thematic review, aims to address the unique challenges faced by in-house lawyers across diverse sectors…