AUGUST 2025 – ARTICLES & ITEMS OF INTEREST
AUGUST 2025 – ARTICLES & ITEMS OF INTEREST
LAW SOCIETY OF IRELAND LAUNCH LEGAL TECH HUB
On the 21 August 2025, the Law Society of Ireland, top stories advised that its Legal Tech Hub went live.
As technology continues to transform legal practice, the Law Society has launched a new resource that contains toolkits, insights, and training on topics such as AI and cyber-security.
The Law Society Legal Tech Hub is aimed at helping solicitors to get the most out of AI, manage cyber-security risks, and use technology with confidence in their practices.
The hub includes AI insights, cyber-security policy templates, and Law Society guidance on technology issues.
To view this article and link to the Legal Tech Hub see https://www.lawsociety.ie/gazette/top-stories/2025/august/law-society-technology-hub-goes-live/
Q & A ON CYBERCRIMINALS
In a recent article published on the Law Society of Scotland’s website, Kerrie Machin, Business Development Director, at Mitigo Cybersecurity, explains why cyber risk management cannot be left solely to IT teams, how the most common attacks are unfolding today, and what the regulatory landscape means for law firms.
The article looks at the scale of cyber-attacks – nearly three-quarters of the UK’s top 100 law firms were affected by cyberattacks in 2024 – and this number continues to rise.
It also looks at how the cybercrime eco-system actually works, what are the most common type of attacks law firms are facing, what kind of damage ransomware causes, common mistakes law firms are making, and how regulators are stepping up expectations too.
To view this article in full see https://www.lawscot.org.uk/news-and-events/blogs-opinions/cybercriminals-are-watching-why-law-firms-need-a-better-defence/
WARNING RE SCAM EMAILS FROM THE IRISH REGISTERED TRADE MARK AGENTS
On the 22 August 2025, the LSRA advised businesses and solicitors to be aware of scam emails currently in circulation that purport to come from Irish registered Trade Mark Agents.
The emails relate to European Trade Mark applications and concern threats to the EU-wide registration of the targeted businesses’ names and logos.
The emails purport to originate from legitimate Trade Mark Agents and law firms in Ireland. However, the professionals named in the emails are not affiliated with the companies or law firms referenced.
The Law Society of Ireland and the Intellectual Property Office have issued advices and recommendations in links contained within the warning notice.
To view this warning notice and various links see https://www.lsra.ie/warning-notice-to-businesses-and-solicitors-scam-trade-mark-emails/
AML BREACHES AND FINES FOR INADEQUATE CHECKS IN RELATION TO A PEP CLIENT
On the 12 August 2025, the Law Society of England Wales website published an article titled “Manager whose client was a PEP was fined £32,500 over exposed AML breaches”.
Fordyce, a firm manager whose client was the son of Azerbaijan’s former national security minister was fined £32,500, ordered to pay £50,000 costs and had restrictions imposed on his practice for five years for AML breaches. The restrictions included that; he may not practise as a sole practitioner, manager or owner of an authorised or recognised body, take on various roles such as compliance officer for legal practice or a money laundering compliance officer, or be a signatory on any client account.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found he had failed to take adequate measures to establish the source of wealth and funds, in relation to two transactions of £1.1m and £1.9m.
Two further allegations – that he had used the firm’s client account as a banking facility in relation to the £1.1m between January and April 2014, and that between May 2014 and January 2022 used the firm’s client account as a banking facility for his own personal payments – were found proved, with Fordyce admitting the latter allegation in full.
Fordyce ‘had undertaken some checks in order to assess any risk but those checks were (as admitted by him) inadequate’. The SDT said he ‘had prioritised the transaction over his regulatory obligations and the steps taken by Fordyce were ‘rudimentary, piecemeal and naïve’. It added: ‘His failures were, it was determined, sufficiently serious, culpable and reprehensible.’
To view this article in full see https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/manager-whose-client-was-politically-exposed-person-is-fined-32500-over-aml-breaches/5124184.article
CYBER ATTACKS HINDERED RESCUE OF A UK FIRM
On the 19 August 2025 the Law Society of England and Wales published an article on how cyber-attacks hindered the rescue of a stricken Birmingham firm.
The struggling firm was beset with cyber-attack issues before and after its closure, an administrators’ report has revealed. Glaisyers LLP was established in Birmingham more than 150 years but had been insolvent for some time before entering administration earlier this month.
Prior to administration, the firm operated a property department which was subject to a cyber-attack. This increased claims on the firm’s professional indemnity insurance policy, causing premiums to jump. The insurance costs had also made it more difficult to sell the business as a solvent prospect.
The administrator explained that four offers had initially been made by different potential buyers for the majority of the assets. One of the offers was withdrawn due to a solicitor advising the firm being uncomfortable about the risk of being seen as a successor practice for insurance purposes.
Another area the firm practised in was legal aid work in childcare cases and the best initial offer was made before the Legal Aid Agency suffered a cyber-attack of its own, which resulted in uncertainty of recovery of contingency payments and no guarantees that the work in progress balance was accurate. The offer was withdrawn before contractual terms could be agreed, as was the second highest offer.
To view this article in full see https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/cyber-attacks-hindered-rescue-of-stricken-birmingham-firm/5124248.article
CONVEYANCING SOLICITORS
For all conveyancing solicitors, there were two interesting articles in the most recent issue of the DSBA Parchment.
The first article is titled ‘Tailte Eireann, Application Tips’, this article discusses practical steps to take when preparing a First Registration application and the most common reasons for rejections on applications involving Registered lands.
There is a further article titled ‘Conveyancing and Climate Change’, Michael Carrigan explores how new guidance from the Law Society of England and Wales is reshaping the responsibility of property solicitors. From rising flood risks to stricter energy rules, conveyancers must now factor environmental impact into their advice – or risk being left behind.
To view these articles see https://issuu.com/256media/docs/parchment_summer_2025?e=0
DISABILITY AND AGE DISCRIMINATION CASE
On the 7 August 2025, Irish Legal News published an article relating to case involving disability and age discrimination, in circumstances where a man who lost his job after suffering two strokes is to receive a £100,000 settlement after taking action with support from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
Geraldine McGahey, chief commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, said:
- “Employers must be aware that employees like Cliff who acquire a disability have protections under the Disability Discrimination Act.”
- “They simply cannot make assumptions about their employees’ workplace capabilities. Instead, they must communicate clearly with employees to fully understand their needs.”
- “The law requires that reasonable adjustments must be considered and implemented where appropriate. It is vital that all staff, especially line managers, are fully informed of these obligations.”
- “The Equality Commission provides expert advice and practical guidance to help employers develop effective policies and procedures. Making use of this support will help ensure compliance with Northern Ireland’s equality laws and create a more inclusive workplace.”
To view this article in full see https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/disability-and-age-discrimination-case-settled-against-northern-ireland-company-for-ps100k
UNFAIR DISMISSAL – SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE
On the 19 August 2025, Irish Legal News published an article relating to a manager in a financial services company who was dismissed for sexual harassment has been awarded €22,500 after the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that his dismissal was procedurally unfair.
The complainant, who held the role of assistant manager and was considered “number two” to the CEO, admitted to sending sexually explicit or offensive messages from two colleagues’ mobile phones.
To view the circumstances of this case and the findings of the WRC, setting out the firm’s procedural failings, see https://www.irishlegal.com/articles/manager-awarded-eur22500-over-unfair-dismissal-for-sexual-harassment