The Legal Services Board of England and Wales has published interim findings from its review of how frontline regulators provide guidance on the scope of litigation activities, following the High Court’s decision in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys. The Mazur judgment highlighted uncertainty around what constitutes the “conduct of litigation” under the Legal Services Act…
New Zealand winds up Solicitors’ Fidelity Guarantee Fund following compensation reform
The New Zealand Law Society has reported on the formal winding up of the Solicitors’ Fidelity Guarantee Fund following legislative reforms that replaced it with the broader Lawyers’ Fidelity Fund. The change arises from the enactment of a new regulatory framework extending compensation coverage beyond solicitors to include conveyancers and other regulated legal service providers….
BRAK Guidance on new EU-AML Obligations for Lawyers and Bar Associations
The German Federal Bar (BRAK) has published an explanatory note on the increased AML obligations for lawyers under the new EU Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (EU 2024/1624). As the Regulation will be directly applicable from 10 July 2027, BRAK advises strongly that law firms subject to AML rules should start preparing now, to ensure that the new structures and processes are in…
Australia engages legal profession ahead of expanded AML/CTF obligations
Australian regulators and professional bodies have increased engagement with the legal profession ahead of the introduction of expanded anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing (AML/CTF) obligations for lawyers. Their recent briefings to lawyers have focused on the practical implications of bringing legal services more fully within the scope of financial crime regulation, including new requirements for client due-diligence,…
Law Society of England and Wales calls for guidance rather than new AI regulation
The Law Society of England and Wales has urged government to clarify how AI may be used in legal services under existing regulations. In January 2026 response to a Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) consultation on AI, the Society said its current regulatory framework already “supports progress” in AI innovation and called for…
Law Society of Ontario in Canada opens new mobility pathway under Ontario Labour Mobility Act
Ontario’s law regulator has launched a new pathway to let Canadian‑licensed lawyers work temporarily in Ontario. Under amendments to the Labour Mobility Act, effective 1 January 2026, the Law Society of Ontario will accept “As of Right” mobility applications. Lawyers licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction can practise in Ontario for up to six months after…
Wealth management institute and law society of Singapore launch certification to equip 6,500 lawyers for family office sector growth
The Wealth Management Institute (WMI) and the Law Society of Singapore have launched a major multi-year training initiative to equip Singapore’s 6,500 practising lawyers with specialised skills in family office advisory. The partnership, formalised on 26 September 2025, responds to the rapidly expanding family office landscape in Singapore and the rising demand for sophisticated legal…
Extension of public consultation period for regulatory framework for law practices and collaborations in Singapore
The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) has announced a five-week extension to its public consultation on the recommendations issued by the Committee to Review the Regulatory Framework for Law Practices and Collaborations in Singapore. The consultation, launched on 16 October 2025, will now remain open until 14 January 2026. The Committee’s report proposes significant reforms to…
Gender equality of the future of the profession
The Law Society of New Zealand has launched a national engagement initiative to explore how the legal profession can better reflect the communities it serves, with a particular focus on advancing gender equality. The initiative begins with panel discussions in Wellington on 25 November and in Auckland on 3 December, bringing together a diverse group…
Legal Services Board publishes plans to tackle barriers to a more diverse legal services profession
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has released a set of new proposals aimed at addressing persistent barriers to equality, diversity and inclusion within the legal services profession. Despite incremental progress, the sector continues to fall short of reflecting the diversity of the communities it serves. Women, minoritised ethnic groups and disabled individuals remain significantly underrepresented,…