On February 1, 2025, De Rebus, the Law Society of South Africa’s regular magazine, published an article by Haroon Aziz detailing progress toward an AI policy for South Africa and urging stronger Global South engagement in AI governance. The article highlights the ‘South Africa National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework,’ released in August 2024 by the…
United Kingdom Companies House ID verification checks change
The Law Society of Scotland has addressed forthcoming changes to Companies House ID verification processes in an article dated 23 January 2025, with an update on 24 February 2025. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, firms supervised under anti-money laundering (AML) regulations—such as Professional Service Providers like solicitors and accountants, and Trust and…
American Bar Association releases new survey on legal tech trends
The American Bar Association (ABA) Legal Technology Resource Center has released its 2024 Legal Technology Survey Report, offering a comprehensive look at technology adoption trends among attorneys in private practice. The annual survey, a key resource for over 20 years, gathered responses across five areas: online research, marketing and communication technology, law office technology, litigation…
India’s Ministry of Law and Justice inviting comments on the draft of the Advocates (Amendment) bills, 2025
On February 13, 2025, India’s Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification inviting public comments on the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025. This proposal aims to strengthen India’s legal framework by amending the Advocates Act, 1961, originally enacted to regulate the legal profession, protect client interests, and uphold professional standards. The Act established the…
New regulatory proposals to strengthen lawyers’ ethical standards
On March 6, 2025, the Legal Services Board (LSB) of England and Wales proposed new regulatory measures to enhance ethical standards within the legal profession, marking a significant shift in how lawyers’ ethics are taught, monitored, and supported. Aimed at ensuring lawyers uphold their ethical duties throughout their careers, these proposals respond to evidence of…
A milestone for justice: The council of Europe’s new convention on lawyers
On March 12, 2025, the Council of Europe adopted the first-ever international treaty aimed at protecting lawyers, titled the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer. This landmark convention responds to rising reports of attacks, harassment, threats, and interference against lawyers, which hinder their ability to practice freely and uphold the rule of law. Lawyers play…
Arizona alternative business structures – What KPMG Law US could mean for the future of the legal community
The Arizona State Law Journal has reported on a significant development in the legal community with an article titled “Arizona Alternative Business Structures – What KPMG Law US Could Mean for the Future of the Legal Community” by Courtney Czochara. KPMG, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms, is set to enter Arizona’s legal market…
Consumer vulnerability in the legal market
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published the findings of research it commissioned from the University of South Wales, examining consumer vulnerability in the legal market. The study aimed to identify practical tools to help the legal sector better serve vulnerable consumers and improve access to justice. However, rather than recommending a risk-based model similar…
Artificial intelligence requires greater attention from the legal sector, International Bar Association Future of Legal Services Commission report reveals
The second annual report from the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Future of Legal Services Commission (FLSC) warns that lawyers are treating AI as a future issue rather than an immediate priority, risking unpreparedness for its rapid impact on the legal sector. The 2024 Future of Legal Services – White Paper highlights the profession’s lack of…
Contingency fees in small claims: The majority of German lawyers do not use opportunities offered under 2021 legislation
Since the German Legal Tech Act came into force in October 2021, allowing lawyers to charge success-based fees and cover clients’ legal costs in certain cases, these opportunities have been rarely used. A recent survey conducted by the Federal Bar Association (BRAK) as part of the law’s three-year evaluation found that most lawyers have not…