The Legal Services Board of England and Wales is running a Reshaping Legal Services Conference on 7 March 2024, below is an abridged version of the programme: Ethics: Ethics, integrity and the rule of law The human impact of aggressive litigation: In conversation with Lee Castleton Panel: Professional ethics and the rule of law: The…
Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales launches a review of consumer protection
The SRA has initiated a comprehensive review of consumer protection measures in response to the emergence of new risks in the legal sector. The review targets two primary areas: firstly, enhancing risk identification, monitoring, and approval processes for regulated law firms to mitigate consumer harm, particularly around client money; secondly, assessing the adequacy of current…
People centred justice initiative in Kenya attempts to bridge the access to justice gap
Pathfinders, an access to justice umbrella civil society organisation based at New York University has published a report on Kenya’s alternative justice system. The global justice gap affects billions worldwide, with 4.5 billion people lacking access to legal opportunities, and 1.5 billion facing unresolved legal issues. A shift toward people-centred justice acknowledges the inadequacy of…
February feature: On-going regulatory reform
This month’s feature looks at a few of the jurisdictions currently engaging in a review of the legislative framework for the regulation of legal services. These reviews cover issues ranging from a restatement of the objectives of lawyer regulation through to a fundamental redesign of the architecture of regulation and the roles and responsibilities of…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales is recruiting a Director of Consumer Policy and Engagement
The post of Director of Consumer Policy and Engagement will be responsible for driving confidence and trust in legal services, engaging in key debates about consumer policy and maintaining close engagement with consumers and consumer groups, and deepening the connection between strategic objectives and policy developments. This new position will lead a new team within…
The Bar Standards Board of England and Wales issues consultation on revisions to definition of academic legal training
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has initiated a three-month public consultation to gather opinions on proposed revisions to the definition of academic legal training and handling consequential waivers and exemptions. The BSB aims to simplify the existing rules governing the academic component of Bar training to better align with objectives of maintaining high standards, flexibility,…
What measured AI looks like in today’s legal practices
UK law firms are increasingly embracing AI, with over a quarter already utilizing some form of AI and nearly half actively exploring its integration. AI’s appeal lies in its potential to enhance efficiency, particularly in contract writing, accessing case law, and reviewing precedents. However, concerns about risks associated with AI integration exist among one-third of…
The German Federal Bar Association advocates for criminal procedure reform
The German Federal Bar Association (BRAK) is advocating for comprehensive reforms to criminal law and criminal procedure to better utilize the potential of digitalization in criminal proceedings. The BRAK has presented specific reform proposals for the Code of Criminal Procedure, focusing on electronic file management, file inspection, and AI-supported investigation methods. The proposals aim to…
The Workplace Environment Survey in New Zealand has revealed Pacific lawyers face higher levels of bullying and discrimination than the profession overall
Results from the Workplace Environment Survey (WPES) in New Zealand reveal that Pacific lawyers, particularly Pacific women, face higher rates of bullying, harassment, and discrimination than the overall legal profession. The New Zealand Law Society commissioned additional reporting to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Pacific lawyers. While overall statistics for lawyers…
Women lawyers now make up the majority of associates in the USA but still face many diversity challenges
A report by the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) reveals that women now constitute the majority of associates at US law firms, making up 50.3% according to the organisation’s Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms. The report also indicates a record growth in women at the partnership level, constituting 27.8% of all partners…