The search for the latest idea in risk management within the Scottish legal profession was launched on 13th June. The Law Society of Scotland launched the Innovation Cup 2022 and has invited Scottish solicitors, paralegals, trainees, cash-room staff and student associates to submit their ideas for risk management products, tools or strategies. The winning idea…
The American Bar Association provides some expert tips for practicing ethically
Theresa Gronkiewicz writes that after a career of representing lawyers in complaints issues there are a number of issues that come up time and again which could be avoided by implementing a strong practice management system and common-sense approach to law. There are 12 tips including: Implement strong law office management procedures Learn to identify…
New vision for a legal aid system in The Netherlands
NovA, the Dutch Bar, alongside the Mediators Federation of the Netherlands (MfN) and the Council for Legal Aid (RvR) outlined their vision for a new legal aid system. The three organisations are working together for a people-oriented, effective and efficient system. The new system would be one in which the citizen and his or her (legal)…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales outlines new online threats in Risk Outlook Report
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s new Risk Outlook report shows that email remains a significant vulnerability for law firms, involved in more than four out of five of all reported cybercrime incidents. The report outlines new threats as criminals look to exploit new technology. It shows that 83 per cent of cybercrimes reported in 2021 involved email…
LawCare, a mental health charity for the UK legal sector, has issued advice to employers to combat loneliness
LawCare has issued advice to the beginning of mental health week in Scotland. This year mental health week was focused on combating loneliness. LawCare has encouraged individuals and employers to: Reach out to a colleague an informal chat about how things are going; Share experiences about the challenges they have faced working in the law…
The Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education is engaging with stakeholders to identify potential skill gaps in those recently called to the bar.
The Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) is attempting to enhance and evolve the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) so as to be recognized as a “best-in-class” Bar admission program. To achieve this, CPLED is engaging with key stakeholders to gather information on potential skill gaps in lawyers who have been called to the Bar in the last…
NOvA, the Dutch Bar, has extended the subsidy for trainee lawyers working in social law firms
NOvA, the Dutch Bar, has extended the subsidy scheme for trainee lawyers working in socially- minded law firms. The scheme was first introduced in 2020 and reached its full allocation, with 175 lawyers making use of it. The scheme finances the training costs of lawyers seeking to work in a socially based law firm. The…
Check My Legal Fees wins informed consent court case against Slater & Gordon
Solicitor/own client claims entity Check My Legal Fees (CMLF) has won its case against Slater & Gordon, opening the door to millions of former personal injury firm clients to recover deductions. Mr Justice Ritchie ruled that Slater & Gordon had to make significant disclosures to CMLF, including of the phone calls in which it signed…
The Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers United States recommends lawyers be permitted to practice in any state
The Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL), a group of 400 lawyers who advise on ethics matters, has recommended that lawyers admitted to a US jurisdiction be able to practice across any state. The Association suggests the ABA Model Rule 5.5, which was adopted in 2002 to prohibit lawyers from practicing in jurisdictions they had…
Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales publishes first ethnicity pay gap report
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published its first ethnicity pay gap report. The ethnicity pay gap shows the difference between the mean or median hourly pay received by White staff and staff from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background, employed at the regulator. Around nine out of ten staff disclosed their ethnicity, with 66…