The New Zealand Law Society has published a LawTalk article on succession and retirement planning, focusing on what is required to close a practice or hand over work in an orderly way. The article draws on the experience of retired solicitor and sole practitioner Sue Styants, who closed her Auckland office after 43 years in…
Law Institute of Victoria launches AML/CTF Hub for legal practitioners
The Law Institute of Victoria has made available an Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) Hub to support legal practitioners preparing for the new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime. The hub includes practical learning opportunities, including an AML Kickstarter Workshop and an ACAMS Certificate in AML General Awareness for Law . The hub itself…
Law Council of Australia says equitable briefing targets for barristers met for first time
The Law Council of Australia has reported that both targets under its Equitable Briefing Policy have been achieved for the first time since the policy was introduced a decade ago. The policy sets targets for women barristers to receive at least 30 per cent of all briefs and at least 30 per cent of the…
SRA consults on proposals to strengthen continuing competence requirements
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is consulting on proposals to strengthen continuing competence requirements for solicitors in England and Wales. The proposed changes are intended to provide greater assurance that practicing solicitors are maintaining the competence, that are needed to meet both their professional and ethical obligation. The proposals would require all solicitors to record…
State Bar of California consults on AI amendments to professional conduct rules
The State Bar of California is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Rules of Professional Conduct addressing lawyers’ use of artificial intelligence. The proposals were approved for a 45-day public comment period by the Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct on 13 March 2026, ending close to two weeks from now on…
SRA chief executive sets out priorities for change in 2026
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has set out a renewed set of priorities for 2026, following remarks by Chief Executive Sarah Rapson to a meeting of the Law Society Council on 18 March 2026. The priorities are framed around fixing the regulator’s foundations and rebuilding trust with both the public and the profession. Rapson acknowledges concerns…
Legal regulators urged to adopt more forward-looking risk strategies
Risk-based regulation remains central to legal sector oversight, providing a framework for identifying potential harms, assessing their likelihood and impact, and directing regulatory attention accordingly. In established areas of concern, this model can be highly effective, particularly where regulators are able to draw on complaints data, supervisory engagement and enforcement experience to identify recurring patterns of risk. Its limits become more apparent, however, where…
Private equity-backed English firms enter Scottish market ahead of ABS reform
English firms backed by private equity are entering the Scottish legal market in anticipation of alternative business structure (ABS) reform. Although a limited form of ABS was permitted by the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010, the regulatory regime was never implemented. The Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 represented a further liberalisation in law firm business structures, removing the requirement for majority lawyer ownership but implementation of this…
SRA ten-year diversity data shows progress but persistent gaps remain
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published ten years of law firm diversity data for England and Wales, offering a longer-term picture of how representation across the profession has changed since 2015. The figures show progress in several areas, with the proportion of women in the profession rising from 48% to 55% over the period, and…
Ireland to host new international arbitration hub
Ireland has been selected to host a new international arbitration hub, ICDR Ireland, as part of a wider effort to strengthen its position in cross-border dispute resolution. Announced by the Irish government together with the American Arbitration Association-International Centre for Dispute Resolution, the hub will handle international commercial arbitration matters across Europe, the Middle East…