The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) recently published an article in the Scotsman newspaper highlighting the need for Scottish solicitors to be more transparent about their pricing and the overall costs of legal services. The SLSCC referenced recent research by Consumer Scotland which showed that although the price of services is only one consideration in…
Asylum services review highlights general good practice and areas for improvement
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published a thematic review of 25 legal firms in England and Wales providing asylum services, following up on its 2022 immigration thematic review. The review assessed how these firms handle daily asylum support, supervision, and training, aiming to highlight best practices across the sector. Key findings indicated that most…
LSB annual report shows progress in driving up standards and ensuring regulation increases public trust
The Legal Services Board (LSB) released its Annual Report for the financial year ending March 31, 2024. The report outlines the LSB’s efforts to ensure that legal regulation adapts to serve societal needs more effectively. Key developments in 2023-24 were the LSB’s first assessment of legal regulators against its new performance framework, which revealed the…
New paths for licensure: California confirms Kaplan bar exam, Arizona launches second chance program
California and Arizona are pioneering new approaches to lawyer licensure. California, which has always taken a different approach to other US states on many lawyers regulatory issues, has decisively moved away from the uniform system of examinations run by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. The State Bar of California has contracted with Kaplan North…
Chief Justice Andrew Bell flags generative AI as major challenge for justice system
In a landmark address marking the bicentenary of the Supreme Court of NSW, Chief Justice Andrew Bell highlighted generative AI as a pivotal challenge facing the justice system. Speaking to an assembly of senior judges from Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, Bell emphasised the evolving complexities that AI introduces to the work of the courts….
Lawyers say Alberta government’s failure to sign deal threatens legal aid services
Legal Aid Alberta has issued a statement in relation to the expiry of its governance and funding agreement with the Government of Alberta on June 30 and the consequences of this for its stakeholders. Legal Aid Alberta, a non-profit organisation, has traditionally received funding through a governance agreement that involves the federal government, the provincial…
Solicitors Regulation Authority gives go-ahead for CILEX change
On July 1, 2024, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Board agreed it would potentially regulate Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) members, if CILEX decides to redelegate this to the SRA. This follows CILEX’s 2022 proposal to transfer the regulation of its members from its own independent regulatory arm, CILEX Regulation, to the SRA. The…
Solicitors Regulation Authority consults on updates to financial penalty regime
On 28 June, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published a 12-week consultation on proposed updates to its financial penalty regime in response to the new powers granted under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. These updates aim to ensure the SRA’s fining approach remains robust, fair, and transparent, especially in light of its…
Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession: Challenges and Solutions
The Alameda County Bar Association, a representative local Bar Association in California has published a helpful summary on diversity and inclusion issues in the legal profession and how these can be addressed. In “Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession: Challenges and Solutions”, the ACBA highlights the urgent need for increased diversity and inclusion within…
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission makes recommendations for the Faculty of Advocates complaints handling
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) has released a report on the Faculty of Advocates’ conduct complaint handling process, describing it as overly complex and difficult for lay complainers to navigate. This complexity, the report suggests, is likely to cause confusion and frustration thus undermining public confidence. The SLCC has suggested five improvements for the…