On 14 May 2025, Bar & Bench journalist Pallavi Saluja reported that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has notified significant amendments to the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022. The updated rules permit the entry of foreign lawyers and law firms…
California assembly Bill 931: consumer legal funding reform
On 7 May 2025, California Assembly Bill 931, introduced by Assembly Member Ash Kalra, was referred to the Judiciary Committee following several amendments. The bill proposes comprehensive regulations under the State Bar Act concerning consumer legal funding and legal fee-sharing practices. Assembly Bill 931 defines “consumer legal funding” as a nonrecourse transaction in which a funding…
Federation of law societies of Canada releases landmark report on anti money laundering regulation ahead of Financial Action Task Force review
On May 1 2025, the Federation of Law Societies of Canada released a landmark report detailing how Canadian law societies meet international Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards, ahead of Canada’s scheduled review by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). This report is the first of its kind to provide a comprehensive technical compliance analysis of how…
American Bar Association release new survey on legal tech trends
On 3 March 2025, the American Bar Association’s Legal Technology Resource Center released its 2024 Legal Technology Survey Report, providing a comprehensive analysis of how attorneys in private practice are leveraging technology. Now in its 20th year, the survey remains a leading resource on tech adoption in the legal sector, capturing responses across five categories: online…
“Without fear or favour: the independence of the legal profession at risk?” by CLA President Steven Thiru
In this powerful piece, CLA President Steven Thiru warns of the growing threats to the independence of the legal profession globally. He underscores that an independent Bar is essential to upholding justice and the rule of law, serving as a safeguard against executive overreach and ensuring access to justice for all—particularly in contentious or politically…
Continued suspension of diversity standard suggested by American Bar Association legal education committee
On 2 May 2025, the Standards Committee of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar issued a memo recommending that enforcement of Standard 206, which governs diversity and inclusion in law school accreditation, remain suspended until 31 August 2026. This recommendation comes ahead of the Section’s Council meeting scheduled…
California scraps new bar exam for July, adjusts scores on February test
On 6 May 2025, Reuters reported on California’s bar exam, highlighting the fallout from the state’s failed attempt to implement a new licensing format. The California Supreme Court has ordered the cancellation of the state’s newly developed bar exam for the July 2025 sitting, following significant issues during its February administration. The February exam, which…
Legal services threat assessment by United Kingdom Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation
In April 2025 Legal Services Threat Assessment published by the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI). The report provides a detailed analysis of the sanctions compliance risks facing UK legal services providers, with a particular focus on the period following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. OFSI highlights the legal sector’s critical role in…
Australia and United Kingdom develop legal services regulatory dialogue
A development has been reported by the Law Council of Australia in its statement dated 11 April 2025, welcoming the continued progress of the Australia–United Kingdom Legal Services Regulatory Dialogue, established under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA). In its commentary, the Law Council highlighted the importance of this Dialogue in advancing cooperation on legal…
Korean Bar Association calls for reforms to reduce the number of new attorneys
A statement has been published by the Korean Bar Association (KBA), which issued a strong call for urgent reform to Korea’s attorney admission process and a significant reduction in the number of new lawyers admitted each year. In its public position released on 10 April 2025, the KBA emphasised the unsustainable oversaturation of the legal…