The New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has outlined its future membership proposition. This includes working on a representative strategy to provide financially sustainable representative services to its members. The intention is to continue delivering services in an enduring way. The matter will be discussed with the Council in the coming months….
The American Bar Association House of Delegates has adopted new rules regarding due diligence obligations for lawyers
The American Bar Association House of Delegates has adopted new rules regarding due diligence obligations for US lawyers. The proposed changes to Model Rule 1.16 will explicitly outline lawyers’ due diligence obligations to inquire about and assess the facts and circumstances of a matter, helping them avoid unknowingly getting involved in clients’ criminal and fraudulent…
The New South Wales solicitor profession has made positive progress on gender equity
A study commissioned by the Law Society of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia shows positive momentum towards gender equality in the legal profession, with modest improvements in career expectations compared to their male colleagues. The 2022 Annual Profile of Solicitors NSW reveals a growing, vibrant, and diverse profession that is actively working to attract…
Bar Standards Board of England and Wales publishes guidance for barristers in non-professional life, especially the use of social media
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has approved new guidance, including revised Social Media Guidance and new Guidance on the Regulation of Non-Professional Conduct. The aim is to clarify the regulatory boundaries for barristers’ conduct outside their professional practice, which can impact public confidence in the profession. The BSB Handbook states that barristers must not behave…
JP McDowell, Managing Partner at Fieldfisher Ireland, calls for more power to regulators
JP McDowell, managing partner of Fieldfisher in Ireland, a leading international law firm representing various Irish professional regulators, has advocated for granting more regulatory bodies the authority to conduct searches, seize documents, and bring prosecutions. McDowell highlighted the importance of transparency in regulatory processes and welcomed recent scrutiny of regulatory practices. He emphasized the need…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales has taken over the management of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has taken over management of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) to ensure future consumer protection for post six-year negligence claims. The new arrangements came into effect on 1 October 2023. The SRA-run scheme will provide ongoing protection for clients and ensure efficient and effective operation. A new claim form with…
IAALS publishes series on what it takes to reach minimum lawyer competence
IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, has published a series on what is required for minimum competency as a lawyer. The study identifies 12 interlocking “building blocks” that define minimum competence in the legal profession and how current licensing systems must be improved to reflect what new lawyers actually do…
Group of regulators and representative bodies join UK government’s taskforce aiming to clamp down on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPS)
A group of regulators, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Bar Standards Board, Law Society and Bar Council have joined a UK government taskforce formed to address strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) and protect public interest journalism. The taskforce includes legal regulators, representative bodies, media organizations, and free speech organizations. It aims to commission research…
2Civillity in Illinois, USA, provides a ‘how to’ guide for using AI as a lawyer
2Civility has published a how to guide for lawyers interested in getting started using generative AI such as ChatGPT. This guide includes a step by step guide on how to access ChatGPT on both desktop and mobile devices. The guide then explores effective ChatGPT prompts for summarising content, drafting litigation and drafting marketing content. The…
AI is increasingly important in law firms, but does it have a place in law schools?
In the legal profession, the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT remains uncertain. Law schools and faculty members are currently grappling with the decision of whether to allow students to use these AI applications in their coursework. While AI is already deeply integrated into legal practice, generative AI goes beyond traditional tools…