Regional Firm PM Law Faces Fraud Probe After Collapse

By Marialuisa Taddia

PM Law has entered into voluntary liquidation with a shortfall in assets approaching £3.6 million ($4.8 million) amid a police investigation into potential fraud at the Yorkshire firm, documents published by Companies House show.

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Irwin Mitchell Sells Debt Recovery Business

By Tom Fish

Irwin Mitchell LLP said Wednesday that it has agreed to sell its debt recovery subsidiary to an arm of investor Copper Street Capital as the U.K. law firm sharpens its focus on core legal services.

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Barrister's Libel Claim Against Neidle Dismissed As SLAPP

By Joanne Faulkner

A judge has struck out a barrister's £8 million ($11 million) libel claim against Dan Neidle, ruling on Wednesday that the case had no chance of succeeding and amounted to a strategic legal claim designed to silence the legal blogger. 

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Legora Expands North American Reach With Legal Tech Buy

By Ashish Sareen

Legora said Wednesday that it has acquired Canadian legal tech startup Walter, which the collaborative artificial technology platform for lawyers says will help it to expand in North America after it opened several offices in the U.S.

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FCA Warrant Against Lawyer In Fraud Probe Found Unlawful

By Christopher Crosby

A London court has quashed a search warrant obtained by the Financial Conduct Authority against a barrister under criminal investigation for fraud and criticized the watchdog for making highly prejudicial allegations against him before a judge.

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Stalker Solicitor Sentenced To Two-Year Community Order

By Hanna Vioque

A magistrates' court has hit a solicitor convicted of stalking with a two-year community order, and has required him to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation after he harassed a court blogger.

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K&L Gates Certified Under International AI Standards

By Matt Perez

K&L Gates LLP announced Monday that it's achieved certification for its artificial intelligence management system under standards established by two Swiss bodies.

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Brief

Ropes & Gray Ups NQ Pay In London By 3% To £170K

By Ashish Sareen

Ropes & Gray LLP has boosted the base salaries of newly-qualified lawyers in its London office to £170,000 ($228,000) from £165,000 to support its efforts to secure top talent at the junior level.

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Paul Hastings Hires High-Yield Pro From A&O Shearman

By Ashish Sareen

Paul Hastings has recruited a specialist in high-yield transactions from Allen Overy Shearman Sterling in London and hired a senior antitrust lawyer to serve as the chair of its Brussels office.

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Bird & Bird Boosts Paris Data Practice With McDermott Team

By Max Austin

Bird & Bird has strengthened its data protection and cybersecurity practice, hiring two Paris-based partners from McDermott Will & Schulte as part of a four-lawyer team joining the firm amid increasing interest in artificial intelligence and cross-border privacy matters.

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Why UK Criminal Court Changes Need To Be Systemic

The proposals in the second part of Brian Leveson's long-anticipated independent review of criminal courts, aimed at easing pressure on the criminal justice system and restoring public confidence, are broadly welcomed, but without structural change and sustained funding, they risk becoming little more than temporary fixes, says Vicky Lankester at Brett Wilson.

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