On the 1st July 2021, the Law Society of Ontario launched new requirements regarding contingency fees. The new rules are designed to enhance transparency and fairness for clients, improving consumer protection and access to justice. As well as this the hope is that the changes will assist legal practitioners with client communication, reducing their administrative…
American Bar Association publishes new data on minorities and bar pass rates
New data published by the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, has suggested that White test-takers were more likely to pass the bar exam in 2020 than test-takers of other races and ethnicities. Within the grouping of those who identified as White men and women, 88% passed the…
Law Society of Saskatchewan releases new podcast on law librarians and their role in access to justice
The Law Society of Saskatchewan has released a new podcast examining the role of law librarians in improving access to justice by providing public access to legal information. The podcast features Alan Kilpatrick, Co-Director of Legal Resources at the Law Society of Saskatchewan, Shaunna Mireau, Past-President of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries, and Kim…
ABA President Patricia Lee Refo – “Lack of advancement is not a ‘woman’ problem, it’s a ‘profession’ problem”
In a new column for the American Bar Association (ABA) Journal, ABA President Patricia Lee Refo has called for a change in attitude towards the way in which gender is viewed in the profession. In the column, she describes how the lack of progression for women in the profession represents systemic issues in both the…
Law Society of New South Wales launches new portal addressing sexual harassment in the workplace
The Law Society of New South Wales (NSW) has launched a new portal focusing on the issue of sexual harassment in the legal workplace. The portal is aimed to provide assistance and guidance to those who have experienced sexual harassment, as well as providing steps that solicitors can take if they have witnessed sexual harassment,…
Watch the Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society’s webinar on anti-money laundering and client ID and verification
On the 9th of June, the Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society (NSBS) hosted a webinar entitled ‘Anti-Money Laundering/Client ID and Verification.’ This webinar was hosted by Caron Ferguson Eagan (NSBS Staff Lawyer, Education & Credentials) and presented by Jillian Barrington (in practice with Sheldon Nathanson Law), Bernadine MacAulay (NSBS General Counsel), and Elaine Cumming (NSBS Professional…
Singapore Ministry of Law offers free mediation services for couples and wedding vendors impacted by COVID-19
The Singapore Ministry of Law (“MinLaw”) has introduced a new free mediation programme for parties such as couples and wedding vendors who have been impacted by new COVID-19 restrictions. The MinLaw COVID-19 (Wedding) Mediation Programme first took effect on 8 May 2021 and was introduced in recognition of the fact that many parties had to…
IBA African Regional Forum releases a new guide on data protection and privacy laws for the legal profession
The International Bar Association (IBA) African Regional Forum has released a new Data Protection/Privacy Guide for Lawyers in Africa, in recognition of growing requirements for safeguarding of personal data in accordance with legal principles across the continent. The guide was developed in the context of the European Union’s data protection law, the General Data Protection…
Event: Regulatory Futures 2021: trust and change in uncertain times
Thursday 9 September 2021 London, UK, 30 Euston Square Join us in London for our face-to-face conference exploring the future of regulation. Offering insights from different sectors – from utilities to education, financial to legal services – this free event is for anyone interested in discussing how we regulate to meet the future needs of…
Event: 2021 NOBC Annual Meeting
4-6 August 2021 Online