The Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner’s Legal Services Research Centre draw on the first annual Victorian Lawyer Census to examine uncivil behaviours in legal workplaces. The research defines uncivil behaviours as demeaning verbal and non-verbal conduct, including ignoring colleagues’ contributions, speaking over colleagues, disparagement, snide remarks, professional discrediting, sarcasm and ostracism. The report found…
An informal commentary on the meaning of Ghana’s Legal Education Act 2026
The author of this commentary recalls the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC’s) manifesto commitment before Ghana’s 2024 elections to “conduct a comprehensive review of legal education to build a modern legal and institutional framework to expand access to legal education in Ghana and serve national development goals”. The author argues that some public comment has suggested…
Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner set minimum cybersecurity expectations for law practices
The Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSB+C) has set out minimum cybersecurity expectations to help law practices protect client data and meet legal and ethical obligations. The guidance is directed at law practice principals and distinguishes between system controls, which are technical safeguards for information systems, and behavioural controls, which reduce risks arising from…
Law Society of Northern Ireland launches AI guidance for solicitors
The Law Society of Northern Ireland’s guidance is framed as practical support for solicitors and staff who are considering or already using AI in professional practice. The Law Society says AI can assist with tasks such as notetaking, drafting emails, summarising documents, eDiscovery and simplifying complex legal issues, but stresses that its use must be…
Law Society of Ontario strengthens response to high-risk misconduct
The Law Society of Ontario says it is continuing to strengthen its regulatory response to high-risk misconduct, including sexual misconduct and financial misconduct. On financial misconduct, the Law Society states that, from 1 May 2026, lawyers and paralegals who have a trust account, or who have authority over a firm trust account, must provide authorisation…
SRA consults on proposals to strengthen continuing competence requirements
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) says the consultation is intended to provide greater assurance that solicitors are maintaining the knowledge, skills and ethical understanding required throughout their careers. The SRA points to evidence from its monitoring work that some solicitors cannot demonstrate that learning and development has followed regular and meaningful reflection, and that some…
State Bar of California updates practical guidance on generative AI
The State Bar of California says its Board of Trustees approved updated revisions to the Practical Guidance for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law on 14 May 2026. The guidance was originally published in November 2023 and was developed by the Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct to assist lawyers…
UK House of Lords report calls for clearer direction on regulators and growth
The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee report examines the UK Government’s regulatory growth agenda and argues that the policy needs clearer translation into day-to-day regulatory practice. The Committee says regulators, including legal regulators, can support investment and growth by improving the pace, clarity and predictability of regulatory processes, but warns that a stronger…
Scottish Legal Complaints Commission publishes Regulatory Statement to guide implementation of new Act
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) says the statement is intended to explain how the Commission will apply the new regulatory objectives as Scotland implements the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025. The SLCC is named in the Act as a regulatory authority and says the reforms will affect its existing complaints functions as…
New Zealand Law Society highlights succession and retirement planning
The New Zealand Law Society has published a LawTalk article on succession and retirement planning, focusing on what is required to close a practice or hand over work in an orderly way. The article draws on the experience of retired solicitor and sole practitioner Sue Styants, who closed her Auckland office after 43 years in…