On the 16th December 2020 the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released a formal opinion to help lawyers to better understand the application of model rules to lawyers practising remotely, this is particularly for those working from jurisdictions in which they are not licensed. Formal Opinion 495 provides guidance…
Solicitor’s Regulation Authority conference on upcoming qualification changes
The Solicitor’s Regulation Authority of England and Wales (SRA) has published video recordings of its 2020 conference on the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE is a new qualification system being implemented in England and Wales over the course of this year. Conference topics included provider and firm strategies around the changes, changes to qualifying…
Updated UK national risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing
The UK Treasury has published an updated UK National Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. This follows the previous update from October 2017 and sets out the key money laundering and terrorist financing risks for the UK, and how these have developed since the first publication in 2015. Specifically, chapter 10 documents the…
California Closing the Justice Gap Working Group holds first public meeting
A California State Bar working group established to study access to justice innovations held its first public meeting on the 14th January 2021. The State Bar’s Closing the Justice Gap Working Group, created by the Board of Trustees to carry on with important recommendations from the State Bar’s Task Force on Access Through Innovation of…
New Zealand Law Commission seeking views on class action and litigation funding
The Law Commission of New Zealand is undertaking a first principles review of class actions and litigation funding. They are currently seeking feedback from interested parties, having released an issues paper in December 2020. The New Zealand Law Society is planning to respond to the call, and is asking for views on the issue. The…
Federation of Law Societies of Canada commitment to reconciliation
On the 7th December 2020 the Federation of Law Societies of Canada released a formal statement of commitment to reconciliation. The statement was in recognition of the federation’s responsibility as a justice stakeholder to foster reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The statement received the unanimous approval of the Federation Council and is an essential part of…
Hong Kong Law Society responses to AML consultation
The Law Society of Hong Kong has released its responses to questions arising from an online consultation on anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) regulation. The consultation was launched on the 3rd November 2020 by the Financial Services and Treasury Bureau. The consultation gave members of the public, as well as private companies the…
Event: ABA Mid-Year Meeting
February 17 – 22, 2021 Online Join your colleagues from across the country for a week of engaging business meetings, dynamic CLE programs, and celebrations of achievements in the legal profession – all from the comfort of your home or office. Event Website
Event: Global trends and challenges in legal education and legal practice
28 JAN 2021 1300 – 1400 GMT Online The connection between legal practice and legal education is extremely relevant for law firms and legal departments, as well as for universities and bar associations. This webinar will explore the connection between the most recent global trends and challenges in legal practice and legal education. Event Website
Irish Legal Services Regulatory Authority to take over regulation of legal advertising
On the 18th December 2020 the Irish Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) took over the role or regulating advertising by legal practitioners, a role previously held by the Law Society (for solicitors). The rule change comes about under the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 (Advertising) Regulations 2020, which applies to print, audio, visual and online advertising….