In November of 2019, the Law Society of Ontario’s technology task force released their initial observations and recommendations over future regulatory approaches to tech and how it could appropriately facilitate access to justice. The Technology Task Force has been established with the aim of reviewing the Law Society’s regulatory mandate, framework, and standards to determine…
ABA releases annual profile of the legal profession
The American Bar Association has published its annual profile of the legal profession in the US. The report uses the data gathered over the course of the year to analyse changes and developments in the profession across the country. Subjects covered include women and minorities in the profession, legal technology, pro bono, pay, legal education,…
Save the date: ICLR Conference 2020 – Chicago 28th-30th October
ICLR Conference 2020 Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of Illinois Chicago | 28-30 October 2020 Please save the date for the 2020 ICLR Conference, which will be held in Chicago between October 28-30, 2020. According to Dave Rolewick, Chair, and Jerry Larkin, Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of Illinois (ARDC), “The ARDC…
BRAK sets up new committee on legal tech
The 7th Statues Assembly, “the parliament of the legal profession” of the Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (BRAK) held its inaugural meeting on November 4th 2019. Through a clear majority, the assembly voted to not only retain all previously established committees but also to set up a new 7th committee on legal technology. For more information about the new…
Event: NOBC 2020 Mid-Year Conference
12-15 February 2020 AT&T Hotel and Conference Center, Austin, Texas The programme for this year’s Mid-Year Meeting includes: discussions on ethical enforcement in federal jurisdictions, prosecuting the prosecutor, dissemination of the NOBC’s Anti-Money Laundering Tool Kit, and utilising alternative discipline. They will also continue their conversations on the importance of lawyer health and well-being with…
Event: BSB- The Future of Legal Services – Regulation of the Market, Consumer Protection and Technological Innovation
25th February 2020 Bar Standards Board (BSB) Director of Strategy and Policy Ewen MacLeod will be hosting a panel to discuss ‘Regulation in the legal services market – structures, roles and independence’. The seminar will focus on the upcoming publication of Stephen Mayson’s Independent Review of Legal Services Regulation. Speakers will look at the conclusions of…
ABA releases ethical guidance for lawyers changing firms
On the 4th December 2019, the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility issued guidance on the ethical responsibilities of lawyers who are changing firm. Formal Opinion 489 recognises a lawyer’s right to move firms, noting that the ethics rules do not allow non-competition clauses in partnership, member, shareholder or employment…
BSB publishes research into barristers’ attitudes to CPD revisions
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has published a report on the impact of their revised approach to regulating barristers’ Continuing Professional Development. The report found that the general attitude towards the scheme amongst barristers was positive, with many welcoming the improved flexibility of the rules, however the report also suggested that there was some misunderstanding…
Singapore Ministry of Law public consultation on Committee for the Professional Training of Lawyers proposals
The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) has launched a public consultation on the proposals to implement the recommendations of the Committee for the Professional Training of Lawyers (“CPTL”). In August 2018, MinLaw announced that it had accepted, in-principle, the CPTL’s recommendations and that implementation of the key changes would take place from the 2023 session of…
Singapore Minister for Law signs legal cooperation MOU with China
During his recent visit to China, Singapore Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Minister of Justice Fu Zhenghua. Both sides emphasised the progress in legal cooperation that has been made over the past few years. In accordance with the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister…