The New Zealand Law Society has reported on the formal winding up of the Solicitors’ Fidelity Guarantee Fund following legislative reforms that replaced it with the broader Lawyers’ Fidelity Fund. The change arises from the enactment of a new regulatory framework extending compensation coverage beyond solicitors to include conveyancers and other regulated legal service providers….
British Columbia introduces virtual court registry counter to support access to justice
British Columbia has introduced a virtual counter service for court registries, allowing members of the public to obtain procedural guidance, access forms, and receive basic support via video or telephone. The service is designed to centralise access to court registries, enabling staff (trained in this) to support users across different regions through a single digital…
Four-year review of the SQE highlights early impacts on entry to the profession
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales has published a four-year review of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, providing a substantial dataset on candidate demographics, pass rates, and performance trends since the SQE replaced traditional qualification routes. The review reports changes in the profile of SQE candidates, including higher representation from some minority ethnic backgrounds…
BRAK Guidance on new EU-AML Obligations for Lawyers and Bar Associations
The German Federal Bar (BRAK) has published an explanatory note on the increased AML obligations for lawyers under the new EU Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (EU 2024/1624). As the Regulation will be directly applicable from 10 July 2027, BRAK advises strongly that law firms subject to AML rules should start preparing now, to ensure that the new structures and processes are in…
Australia engages legal profession ahead of expanded AML/CTF obligations
Australian regulators and professional bodies have increased engagement with the legal profession ahead of the introduction of expanded anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing (AML/CTF) obligations for lawyers. Their recent briefings to lawyers have focused on the practical implications of bringing legal services more fully within the scope of financial crime regulation, including new requirements for client due-diligence,…
U.S. Judicial Conference considers new rule on AI-generated evidence
The federal judiciary in the United States is moving to tighten rules for AI-generated evidence. In mid-2025 the Judicial Conference’s advisory committee mentioned they are considering drafting a new Federal Rule of Evidence (Rule 707) on machine‑generated evidence. The proposed Rule 707 would treat machine generated outputs to the same admissibility standards as all other…
Law Society of England and Wales calls for guidance rather than new AI regulation
The Law Society of England and Wales has urged government to clarify how AI may be used in legal services under existing regulations. In January 2026 response to a Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) consultation on AI, the Society said its current regulatory framework already “supports progress” in AI innovation and called for…
Solicitors Regulation Authority issues guidance after motor finance judgment
The Solicitors Regulation Authority in January 2026 issued guidance for law firms handling motor finance commission claims, following an August 2025 Supreme Court ruling. That ruling held that in some cases motor finance companies had unfair commission arrangements requiring refunds, while dealers did not necessarily owe a duty of loyalty to customers. The FCA is…
Bar Council of India allows final-year students to take bar exam
The Bar Council of India has amended its rules so that final‑semester LLB students can take the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and the exam will be held twice a year. In January 2026 the BCI told the Supreme Court it had “framed rules enabling final-year law students to take the AIBE” and that the…
Nigerian Bar Association responds to debate over proposed Legal Practitioners Bill
On 18 January 2026, discussions around the Federal Government’s proposed Legal Practitioners Bill gained momentum within Nigeria’s legal community following its transmission to the National Assembly. The bill, which seeks to repeal the long-standing Legal Practitioners Act, proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the regulatory framework governing legal practice in Nigeria. Key elements of the proposed…