The latest reform of the German Tax Advisory Act (Steuerberatungsgesetz, StBerG), adopted in June 2026, fundamentally reshapes third-party investment in the German tax advisory market, tightening existing rules by extending professional eligibility requirements beyond direct shareholders to the entire ownership chain, thus introducing a full “look‑through” system. Any direct or indirect change in ownership must now be reported immediately, enabling regulators to detect and challenge non‑compliant structures…
Spanish Bar backs social security transition route for lawyers on mutual schemes
Spain’s General Council of the Bar has backed a proposed “gateway” into RETA, the country’s public social-security regime for self-employed workers. The reform would give lawyers and other professionals who have paid into alternative professional mutual societies a route to move into the public system, allowing them accumulated economic rights to be recognised for social-security benefits and…
International legal organisations condemn attacks on Tunisia’s legal profession
A group of 40 international legal and human rights organisations has condemned what it describes as escalating attacks on Tunisia’s legal profession, judiciary and civil society. The statement refers to a wider pattern of intimidation, obstruction and retaliation against lawyers, judges, the Tunisian National Bar Association (ONAT), magistrates’ associations and independent civil society organisations. The organisations argue that interference with the…
German Federal Bar reports on professional rules, AI and protection of the legal profession
The German Federal Bar, Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (BRAK), has reported on the latest meeting of the lawyers’ self-regulatory assembly, Die Satzungsversammlung. The meeting adopted amendments to specialist lawyer rules and considered ongoing professional issues including conflicts of interest, continuing training, confidentiality, data protection and artificial intelligence. The meeting also addressed the protection of the legal profession, following Germany’s signature of the Council of…
France clarifies confidentiality frameworks for legal advice and correspondence
France has introduced new confidentiality protections for certain legal consultations prepared by in-house counsel. The framework creates a limited confidentiality regime for internal legal advice, subject to specific conditions and limitations, including requirements relating to the nature of the advice, the status of the author and the proceedings in which confidentiality may be relied upon. …
Singapore Ministry of Law responds to Legal Profession Sustainability Study
Singapore’s Ministry of Law has issued a statement responding to the release of The Legal Profession Sustainability Study. The Ministry said the study raises important issues across the legal profession, including organisational and practice-related stress points, the economic realities of legal practice, wellbeing and the long-term sustainability of legal careers. The Ministry noted that the Law Society has set…
New Zealand launches Accessible and Affordable Justice programme
New Zealand’s Ministry of Justice has launched the Accessible and Affordable Justice programme following the 2025 review of the legal aid system. The Ministry has published a summary of consultation feedback and Cabinet material from the review, which considered how the legal aid scheme is operating and where improvements may be needed. The programme will take forward…
AI law firm wins court case in the UK
An AI law firm, Garfield AI, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has won a small debt claim in an English court, in what has been reported as a UK and global first. The case concerned unpaid fees owed to a freelance HR consultant and is being reported as an example of regulated…
Rhode Island Supreme Court issues AI rules for lawyers and judges
The Rhode Island Supreme Court has amended its professional competence rule and adopted interim guidance on the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence by lawyers and judicial officers. The amended rule requires lawyers to keep up to date with changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with existing and…
UK launches Advisory AI Growth Lab to support responsible AI adoption in legal services
The UK Government has launched an Advisory AI Growth Lab, a new advisory sandbox intended to support the development and deployment of AI products and services. Legal services will be the first sector to participate, reflecting demand for clearer and more coordinated information on how existing regulatory frameworks apply to AI-enabled legal services. The Lab will…