News

A number of recent news items relevant for in-house solicitors are listed below.

• The latest Gazette includes a feature on this year’s In-House and Public Sector Conference, covering the potential of legal technology and practical guidance on adopting innovation. Read the December Gazette
• A recent article in The In-House Lawyer magazine examines the issues facing in-house lawyers for the financial technology (fintech) sector. Written by Dean Nash, Chief Legal Officer at Monzo Bank, the piece examines the development of the sector to date, and the forecast for the next ten years. Read the In-House Lawyer
• The latest Gazette includes an interview with Alex Kelly, founder of legal software firm Brightflag. Kelly discusses Brightflag's cloud-based software used to rigorously interrogate legal billing. Read the Gazette
• The Council of the European Union has adopted a general approach on the Commission proposal for a Directive on representative consumer actions. The new rules will allow citizens to take collective action to enforce consumer rights, and empower reputable organisations (so-called ‘qualified entities') to launch actions on behalf of consumers. Read more on the European Commission website
• A recent Government Report examines the potential of, and challenges facing, widespread adoption of remote working. The report identifies a lack of clarity for employers on how to implement a formal HR policy around remote working, and fears of litigation, as potential stumbling blocks. See details on Gazette.ie.

Resources

Find some useful resources for in-house solicitors here.

• The Law Society Panel of Arbitrators has been updated to include CVs of practitioners. If you are seeking to resolve a dispute via arbitration, see information and the process to follow on the ADR Committee page
• The Law Society Library has recently updated subject resource packs covering AI and the profession, aviation leasing, brexit and more. Subject resource packs bring together books, reports, articles and key judgments to assist practitioners in researching a particular area. They are accessible through the Library catalogue

Training

The Diploma Centre and Law Society Professional Training provide training for in-house solicitors in the private and public sectors.

• The Diploma Centre is launching a new Diploma in compliance and Risk Management in February 2020. This course will cover the changing legal landscape in financial services law and regulation, including AML, civil and criminal liability for breaches, and recent legislation. See course details
• Law Society Professional Training is holding a panel seminar to discuss the regulation of healthcare on 25 March 2020. Following the publication of the second Scally Report and the awaited Report of Mr Justice Charles Meenan, the seminar brings together healthcare regulators, practitioners in the field, and other experts. Book your place online  

Social Media

In-house solicitors can connect and network with colleagues across organisations using a private LinkedIn group.

• Access the In-House LinkedIn Group

The In-House and Public Sector Committee

The In-House and Public Sector Committee aims to represent the views and promote the interests of this segment of the profession, while supporting the Law Society in the exercise of its representative, educational and regulatory roles as they relate to the in-house sector. Log in to find out about the In-House and Public Sector Committee.