The latest reform of the German Tax Advisory Act (Steuerberatungsgesetz, StBerG), adopted in June 2026, fundamentally reshapes third-party investment in the German tax advisory market, tightening existing rules by extending professional eligibility requirements beyond direct shareholders to the entire ownership chain, thus introducing a full “look‑through” system. Any direct or indirect change in ownership must now be reported immediately, enabling regulators to detect and challenge non‑compliant structures…
Spanish Bar backs social security transition route for lawyers on mutual schemes
Spain’s General Council of the Bar has backed a proposed “gateway” into RETA, the country’s public social-security regime for self-employed workers. The reform would give lawyers and other professionals who have paid into alternative professional mutual societies a route to move into the public system, allowing them accumulated economic rights to be recognised for social-security benefits and…
International legal organisations condemn attacks on Tunisia’s legal profession
A group of 40 international legal and human rights organisations has condemned what it describes as escalating attacks on Tunisia’s legal profession, judiciary and civil society. The statement refers to a wider pattern of intimidation, obstruction and retaliation against lawyers, judges, the Tunisian National Bar Association (ONAT), magistrates’ associations and independent civil society organisations. The organisations argue that interference with the…
German Federal Bar reports on professional rules, AI and protection of the legal profession
The German Federal Bar, Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer (BRAK), has reported on the latest meeting of the lawyers’ self-regulatory assembly, Die Satzungsversammlung. The meeting adopted amendments to specialist lawyer rules and considered ongoing professional issues including conflicts of interest, continuing training, confidentiality, data protection and artificial intelligence. The meeting also addressed the protection of the legal profession, following Germany’s signature of the Council of…
Singapore Ministry of Law responds to Legal Profession Sustainability Study
Singapore’s Ministry of Law has issued a statement responding to the release of The Legal Profession Sustainability Study. The Ministry said the study raises important issues across the legal profession, including organisational and practice-related stress points, the economic realities of legal practice, wellbeing and the long-term sustainability of legal careers. The Ministry noted that the Law Society has set…
New Zealand launches Accessible and Affordable Justice programme
New Zealand’s Ministry of Justice has launched the Accessible and Affordable Justice programme following the 2025 review of the legal aid system. The Ministry has published a summary of consultation feedback and Cabinet material from the review, which considered how the legal aid scheme is operating and where improvements may be needed. The programme will take forward…
Victorian Legal Services Board research highlights incivility and wellbeing risks in legal workplaces
The Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner’s Legal Services Research Centre draw on the first annual Victorian Lawyer Census to examine uncivil behaviours in legal workplaces. The research defines uncivil behaviours as demeaning verbal and non-verbal conduct, including ignoring colleagues’ contributions, speaking over colleagues, disparagement, snide remarks, professional discrediting, sarcasm and ostracism. The report found…
Law Society of Northern Ireland launches AI guidance for solicitors
The Law Society of Northern Ireland’s guidance is framed as practical support for solicitors and staff who are considering or already using AI in professional practice. The Law Society says AI can assist with tasks such as notetaking, drafting emails, summarising documents, eDiscovery and simplifying complex legal issues, but stresses that its use must be…
UK House of Lords report calls for clearer direction on regulators and growth
The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee report examines the UK Government’s regulatory growth agenda and argues that the policy needs clearer translation into day-to-day regulatory practice. The Committee says regulators, including legal regulators, can support investment and growth by improving the pace, clarity and predictability of regulatory processes, but warns that a stronger…
Scottish Legal Complaints Commission publishes Regulatory Statement to guide implementation of new Act
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) says the statement is intended to explain how the Commission will apply the new regulatory objectives as Scotland implements the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025. The SLCC is named in the Act as a regulatory authority and says the reforms will affect its existing complaints functions as…