The Law Society of Scotland is giving its members access to an innovative anti-money laundering (AML) film-based training tool produced by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The tool is designed to enhance solicitors’ awareness of economic crimes, particularly money laundering. The film dramatises examples…
IBA study suggests global economic impact of the legal profession at $1.6 trillion
The International Bar Association (IBA) has recently published work that it commissioned from the professional services consultancy McKinsey, which seeks to quantify the social and economic value of the legal profession. This is quantified at $1.6 trillion, or 1.7% of global GDP. The calculation was arrived at by taking into account both direct economic contributions…
Potential causes of differential outcomes by ethnicity in legal professional assessments
The University of Exeter has published the results of a study commissioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales, which seeks to explore the reasons behind varying legal qualification outcomes among students of different ethnicities. The research revealed that these differences are likely to stem from a complex interaction of factors including social,…
California State Bar publishes responses to its consultation on the licensing of a new paraprofessional.
In 2021 the California State Bar published a consultation on a potential new paraprofessional license designed to ease the access to justice problem being experienced in the state. This new type of legal paraprofessional is intended to be a cheaper alternative to a fully licensed lawyer and would only be able to offer a very…
Oregon State Bar launches a consultation on new paraprofessional licensing plans
The Oregon State Bar has released plans for the introduction of licensed paraprofessionals, in a public consultation. It is proposing to restrict this new paraprofessional to practice in two areas of law, family and landlord/tenant issues. This is intended to help at least some of the 84% of Oregon residents who cannot currently access the…
California Bar launches access to justice consultation
The State Bar of California is seeking to solve the issue of access to justice many residents suffer given the high cost of legal services, by establishing a new paraprofessional. They estimate 85% of legal problems received no or inadequate help. It is hoped a new more affordable legal professional would go some way to…