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…
Statement on the use of artificial intelligence in Australian legal practice
The Law Society of New South Wales, the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia, and the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner have issued a statement on the use of AI in Australian legal practice, setting clear expectations for lawyers integrating AI tools into their work. Fiona McLeay, CEO and Commissioner, emphasized that while AI…
How artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession
Thomson Reuters has published its 2024 Future of Professionals Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of how AI is reshaping the legal profession. This global study surveyed 2,200 senior professionals across 50 countries, spanning legal, tax, accountancy, and other professional services. The findings reveal a growing, yet cautious, acceptance of AI within the legal sector. While…
Senior England and Wales judge urges legal professionals to embrace AI
Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, the most senior Civil judge in England and Wales, delivered a speech at the LawtechUK Generative AI Event held in London on 5 February 2025. He urged legal professionals to embrace AI rather than resist its integration, emphasizing that AI is already transforming industries worldwide, and the…
Singapore passes legal amendments to combat “lawfare”
New measures to prevent the abuse of Singapore’s court processes through excessive or egregious litigation (“lawfare”) have been enacted through amendments to the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act (AOJPA), which came into force on 28 January 2025. The amendments explicitly define contempt of court to include knowingly deceiving the court, filing baseless claims, and initiating…
Legal regulation amendments must remove political control of lawyers
The Law Society of Scotland has urged that new amendments to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill, lodged in the Scottish Parliament, must fulfill the government’s promise to remove political control over the legal profession. The Bill, originally introduced in April 2023, proposed sweeping new powers that would allow the Scottish Government to directly…