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…
Law Society of Ontario introduces enhanced transparency requirements
The Law Society of Ontario has approved amendments expanding both the information that lawyers and paralegals must report to the regulator and the information that will appear in the public Lawyer and Paralegal Directory. The changes follow Convocation decisions taken in May and September 2025. The LSO says amendments to By-Law 8 expanding reporting requirements…
Legal Services Board publishes interim findings on litigation guidance
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…
Four-year review of the SQE highlights early impacts on entry to the profession
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales has published a four-year review of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, providing a substantial dataset on candidate demographics, pass rates, and performance trends since the SQE replaced traditional qualification routes. The review reports changes in the profile of SQE candidates, including higher representation from some minority ethnic backgrounds…
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,…
U.S. Judicial Conference considers new rule on AI-generated evidence
The federal judiciary in the United States is moving to tighten rules for AI-generated evidence. In mid-2025 the Judicial Conference’s advisory committee mentioned they are considering drafting a new Federal Rule of Evidence (Rule 707) on machine‑generated evidence. The proposed Rule 707 would treat machine generated outputs to the same admissibility standards as all other…
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…
Solicitors Regulation Authority issues guidance after motor finance judgment
The Solicitors Regulation Authority in January 2026 issued guidance for law firms handling motor finance commission claims, following an August 2025 Supreme Court ruling. That ruling held that in some cases motor finance companies had unfair commission arrangements requiring refunds, while dealers did not necessarily owe a duty of loyalty to customers. The FCA is…
Bar Council of India allows final-year students to take bar exam
The Bar Council of India has amended its rules so that final‑semester LLB students can take the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and the exam will be held twice a year. In January 2026 the BCI told the Supreme Court it had “framed rules enabling final-year law students to take the AIBE” and that the…