Bona Vacantia list reinstated as review finds no evidence of fraud
The Government Legal Department (GLD) has confirmed the reinstatement of the Bona Vacantia list with restricted access to data, following the allegations of its use by criminals to claim the estates of those with no heirs. In a press release published on gov.uk, GLD said a review had found “no evidence the Bona Vacantia unclaimed […]
LSB appoints Richard Orpin as new CEO
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has appointed Richard Orpin (pictured) as its new chief executive officer (CEO). Orpin joined the LSB in 2023 as director of regulation and policy and has almost 20 years of experience in regulation and government. He has been interim chief executive at the LSB since summer 2025. The appointment was […]
Pension value to be scrutinised, FCA says
Pension schemes will need to publish clear data on their performance, costs and quality of service, under proposals announced this month by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR). If a pension offers poor value, firms and trustees must then fix it by moving savers […]
MoJ sets out plans to fund justice system with interest on client accounts
The government has set out proposals to use interest on lawyers’ client accounts as “a crucial source of funding” to support and enhance services in the justice system. Funds would be directed to “areas of greatest need”, the Ministry of Justice said in a statement. The Interest on Lawyers’ Clients Accounts Scheme (ILCA) will see […]
Law Society asks government to clarify rules regarding use of AI in legal sector
The Law Society of England Wales has asked the government to clarify how AI can be used in legal services while upholding professional standards and public trust. Writing in response to a call for evidence from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) in relation to its proposed AI Growth Lab, The Law Society […]
Govt launches recruitment drive for ‘ordinary people’ to become magistrates
The government is calling for “thousands of ordinary people from all walks of life” to help deliver justice by becoming magistrates. The Ministry of Justice said it is looking for “everyday heroes from all backgrounds” to deliver justice in local communities across the country. Over 2,000 extra magistrates have been trained since 2022 and the government intends the latest […]
Mental Health Act update will bring legislation into 21st century and empower treatment choice
Updates to the legislation that sets out provisions for the treatment of people experiencing mental health crises will bring the law into the 21st century, campaigners say, as a new Mental Health Act receives Royal Assent. The landmark new legislation will reform the ‘outdated’ 1983 act, which gave courts the power to imprison those experiencing […]
SRA targets COLPs and COFAs in latest client money crackdown
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will seek to separate the roles of Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) from ‘individuals that can unilaterally determine or direct significant management decisions’ with law firms, in its latest crackdown. A newly launched client money consultation proposes to separate both roles […]
New Bar Council chief appointed
The General Council of the Bar (Bar Council) has announced a successor to current chief executive Malcolm Cree CBE, who is retiring after eight years at the head of the organisation. Jim Morris CB DSO will join the Bar Council on 23 March 2026. Morris joins from retail communications technology company VoCoVo after a career […]
Digital assets to be recognised as personal property following legislative update
Digital assets are to be formally recognised in law with the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act receiving Royal Assent this week. Previously many digital assets, including cryptocurrency or non-fungible tokens, had undefined legal rights. The updated legislation will formally recognise digital assets as personal property in the eyes of the law and can be treated like traditional […]
Private client lawyers celebrate as ‘secondary transfer’ exempted from IHT
Private client membership and professional organisations the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners (STEP) and Association of Lifetime Lawyers (ALL) are celebrating after securing the exemption of inheritance tax (IHT) on payouts to the families of victims of the infected blood scandal. The issue was raised earlier this year when it was identified that although […]
Law Society research lays bare shocking scale of threats and abuse against solicitors
Research by the Law Society of England and Wales has laid bare the levels of threats faced by solicitors, with half of those interviewed for the research reporting threats or abuse related to their work in the last 12 months. The survey of 286 Law Society members, carried out in August, revealed ‘an alarmingly high’ […]
CILEX granted permission to appeal Mazur ruling
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has been granted permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the Mazur judgment. Although not party to the original proceedings, CILEX applied for permission earlier this month, relying on the Court of Appeal’s discretion to permit an appeal brought by a person adversely affected by the […]
CILEx shares update on practice rights amid ‘distress and uncertainty’
CILEx Regulation (CRL), the independent regulatory body of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, has shared an update on the litigation practice rights of chartered legal executives, saying it understands ‘the significant distress and uncertainty the judgment has caused’. Since the Mazur judgment was handed down by Justice Sheldon just over two months ago, CRL […]
Companies House ID changes now in force – what you need to know
Anyone who becomes a company director or person with significant control (PSC) will now have to verify their identity with Companies House. Identity verification is now a compulsory part of incorporation and new appointments for new directors and PSCs. Verification is being phased in over the next 12 months: existing directors must confirm they have […]
Law Society launches new EDI strategy
The Law Society of England and Wales has launched a new equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy for the solicitors’ profession. The strategy forms a key part of the Law Society’s 2025-2028 corporate strategy and promotes a more diverse, open and inclusive profession. The strategy is the result of a robust foundation of member engagement, […]
Guidance on the use of AI published for Judicial Office Holders
HM Courts and Tribunals Service has published updated guidance for Judicial Office Holders on the use of tools which use artificial intelligence. The guidance, which replaces the previously published document from April 2025, reminds office holders of the principle of personal responsibility for any material produced in their name said Lord Justice Birss, Lead Judge […]
SRA ‘concerned by continued non-compliance’ with source of funds checks
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has reviewed ‘a substantial body of data’ for a thematic review of source of funds and wealth compliance, and says it is ‘concerned by the continued levels of non-compliance’. Data gathered through proactive supervision work over three years has consistently shown that compliance with source of funds requirements remains a […]
Law Society update social media guidance as LinkedIn the latest platform to use content to train AI
Solicitors must consider their ‘ethical obligations’ when posting and commenting on social media as comments could breach SRA Codes on client care, confidentiality, conflicts of interest and publicity warns the Law Society of England and Wales. The warning comes as one of the most popular social media platforms LinkedIn, is updating it’s technology to use the […]
Court of Protection rules in favour of termination in ‘nuanced’ Mental Capacity Act case
A nuanced approach to fluctuating mental capacity is important in Mental Capacity Act (MCA 2005) cases, highlighted in a recent Court of Protection judgement regarding the termination of a pregnancy. In Re KP (Termination of Pregnancy) [2025] EWCOP 35, Mr Justice Poole was asked to determine whether KP, who was 17 weeks pregnant, had capacity to […]