On 19 June, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published new research revealing that while sole practitioners and small law firms in England and Wales are eager to adopt new technology, significant barriers continue to hinder uptake. A survey, conducted by Thinks Insight & Strategy, involved around 150 solicitors and eight technology providers through interviews,…
Artificial Intelligence action plan for justice
On 31 July, the UK Ministry of Justice published an AI Action Plan for Justice – a landmark strategy to integrate artificial intelligence across the justice system in England and Wales. The plan is designed to deliver “faster, fairer and more accessible justice” while maintaining public trust, protecting human rights, and preserving judicial independence. The…
What skills do new lawyers need? Lawyers asked to provide answers in new survey
The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) at the University of Denver and the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) have launched the Foundations 2.0 survey to gather insights from practicing lawyers on the skills and competencies new lawyers need in today’s evolving legal landscape. As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies reshape…
Guidelines for creating reciprocity between allied legal professional programs
With seven U.S. states now operating Allied Legal Professional (ALP) programs, momentum is building for greater reciprocity across jurisdictions. Building Bridges, a report released on June 18, 2025, by IAALS and authored by Michael Houlberg, Courtney Petersen-Rhead, and Kristy Clairmont, outlines a strategic framework to guide states in creating reciprocity rules that support the growth…
More legal services offered remotely, but prices continuing to increase in England and Wales
Consumers in England and Wales are increasingly able to access legal services remotely, but prices continue to rise, according to a new report by the Legal Services Board (LSB), published on 17 June 2025. Based on input from over 1,500 providers, the study covers commonly used legal services such as conveyancing, divorce, probate, estate administration,…
Progress in rule of law in European Union but further action needed, finds report
The European Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law Report highlights notable progress across EU Member States and four enlargement countries—Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—while also calling for continued reform. The report evaluates developments in four key areas: justice systems, anti-corruption, media freedom, and institutional checks and balances. It confirms a positive trajectory in many countries,…
Ohio Supreme Court to review American Bar Association accreditation for lawyers as political pressures mount
Ohio has become the third U.S. state, after Texas and Florida, to consider dropping the requirement that lawyers must graduate from an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school to qualify for admission to the bar. The Supreme Court of Ohio announced on July 18, 2025, that it has established an advisory committee to evaluate its…
Wisconsin Bar redefines ‘diversity’ to settle discrimination lawsuit
The State Bar of Wisconsin has revised its definition of “diversity” in response to a two-year legal challenge brought by the conservative legal group, Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), which alleged the bar’s leadership programs discriminated on the basis of race. The bar will now define diversity more broadly, focusing on “differing characteristics,…
Law Society of England and Wales proposes reforms for a 21st century civil justice system
The Law Society has released its final report under the 21st Century Justice project, launched in 2022 to address persistent barriers to access to civil justice in England and Wales. With only one in five people believing justice is accessible, the Society outlines six practical recommendations aimed at delivering a more inclusive, responsive and modern…
New Zealand Law Society – law reform and advocacy update
The Law Society has continued its strong engagement in law reform and advocacy over the past quarter, making 12 submissions on Bills and 24 on government discussion documents. These efforts reflect their ongoing commitment to ensuring that legislation is principled, proportionate, and responsive to the needs of both the profession and the wider public. Recent…