The Solicitors Regulation Authority has launched a consultation on regulating the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) members. The consultation comes after CILEX proposed re-delegating the regulation of its members from its current regulator, CILEX Regulation, to the SRA last year. The SRA has identified some benefits for consumers that would arise from regulating CILEX…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority issues a thematic review of the use of Non Disclosure Agreements in workplace complaints
The SRA has released a thematic review that discusses the use of Non Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in workplace complaints. The review recognizes the legitimate place NDAs have in agreements to protect commercial interests, reputation, and confidentiality. The key findings of the review found that generally most NDAs between employers and employees complied with the requirements…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published an anti-money laundering and terrorism financing risk assessment for the legal industry
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published an anti-money laundering and terrorism financing risk assessment. The report aims to assess the risks associated with money laundering and terrorist financing in different sectors. The report provides an overview of the risks associated with different sectors, including banking, insurance, and securities. It also provides information on the regulatory…
Fourth edition of Lawtech Insight from the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales
Edition 4 of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Lawtech Insight has a featured article from Journalist Jane Wakefield, who talks to law firms and tech experts about the impact AI is having on the sector as a whole and what, if any, role it will play in their business. This issue also covers the topics: AI…
The Bar Standards Board of England and Wales issues consultation on amendments to widen powers to protect the public
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has issued a consultation document seeking views on proposed changes to widen its powers to protect the public. The proposed changes include giving Disciplinary Tribunals the power to impose interim restrictions on a barrister’s practising certificate and extending the BSB’s power to refer a person to an interim suspension panel….
Legal Services Board of England and Wales annual report finds progress in regulation driving better legal services
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023. The report focuses on ensuring legal services are accessible and better meet the needs of society. The report covers the second year of the LSB’s ‘Reshaping Legal Services’ strategy. The key projects and activities during the…
Ethics and access: Striking the right balance
Mark Neale’s blog discusses the key debate around whether ethical lawyers should avoid certain clients on public interest grounds and whether the regulator should police the profession’s choice of client. It emphasizes that lawyers, especially barristers, are not just there to do their clients’ bidding, right or wrong. Read the full story here.
A Solicitors Regulation Authority report has found unbundling legal services could improve access to justice
A Solicitors Regulation Authority Report has found that unbundling legal services could make legal help more affordable for those on low incomes and increase the client base for law firms. Unbundling is a process where the tasks that make up a service are divided between the consumer and provider, allowing clients to carry out some…
AI and the courts: Will machine learning decision making ever replace judges?
Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales gave a recent speech on the possibility of AI replacing humans in decision making roles. He made a number of key points: * AI technology is unlikely to replace human beings in judicial decision-making in complex, personal cases….
Solicitors Regulation Authority issues guidance on new wellbeing rules
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued guidance on the new health and wellbeing rules brought in earlier this month. New Code of Conduct rules include specific obligations to treat colleagues fairly and with respect and not to engage in bullying or harassing behaviour. The new guidance issued this month aims to help firms and individuals…