By: Maria Ward-Brennan

Professional Services Editor Maria Ward-Brennan is the Professional Services Editor at City AM, focused on law, Big Four, and other management and accounting consulting firms. She edits the Beyond The Billable newsletter and column. She was previously a litigation reporter at The Lawyer. Contact her via email at maria.ward-brennan@cityam.com or on X @MariaW_B.

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Inaccurate AI submissions strain overloaded Employment Tribunal

August 27, 2025

A growing number of people are using AI platforms such as ChatGPT to draft grievances when bringing claims against their employers at the Employment Tribunal. Travers Smith employment partner Ailie Murray told City AM that the team is increasingly seeing employees use AI to draft grievances, employment claims, and submissions against their employers. “While this [...]
NDA ban and bereavement leave add extra £80m to UK Employment Bill

August 27, 2025

The new amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, including banning the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), will add an additional £80m a year in costs to UK businesses. According to the employment team at TWM Solicitors, the new clauses introduced in July are expected to increase the existing government forecast of £5bn by at least [...]
UK businesses set to face tougher compliance over fraud

August 26, 2025

British businesses need to prepare for a “sea change” as the new powers to tackle fraud come into effect next Monday. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) director Nick Ephgrave told City AM last year that time was running short for businesses “to get their house in order” ahead of its new powers. From 1 September, [...]
Royal Mail eCourier drivers launch legal battle over worker rights

August 26, 2025

Legal action has been launched against Royal Mail eCourier by drivers claiming they have been unlawfully denied workers’ rights by being classified as self-employed independent contractors. A group of 15 former eCourier drivers, who are members of the IWGB union, are bringing the ‘opt-in’ claim, led by claimant law firm Leigh Day, which has brought [...]
Post merger A&O Shearman generates £2.9bn in revenue as partner pay falls short of competitors

August 22, 2025

The first results following the anticipated merger of A&O Shearman show that equity partners pocketed £2m, slightly below the figures from its legacy Magic Circle firm
Law firms slammed by regulator over risky client practices on high-volume claims

August 22, 2025

The legal regulator has criticised law firms that handle high-volume consumer claims for poor practices that could harm the public, warning that urgent improvements are needed.
High Court sides with The Guardian over actor Noel Clarke libel claim

August 22, 2025

The High Court threw out actor Noel Clarke's libel case against The Guardian over its story that detailed sexual misconduct he was alleged to have committed
HMRC set to crack down on pension tax relief

August 22, 2025

HMRC is stepping up its scrutiny of pension tax relief claims from higher earners, as part of a broader effort to maximise revenue collection
Hays slashes dividend as profit plummets

August 21, 2025

Hays reported drops across most of its financial lines as the group battles a challenging hiring market, forcing it to reduce its final dividend for shareholders.
Crypto assets could be lost upon death regardless of wills, warns lawyer

August 20, 2025

Crypto assets are not automatically accessible or even traceable through existing methods, it prompts calls for reform to Wills as millions of Brits risk losing assets upon death

Burnham to pledge greater control of water and energy industries

Financing for Crystal Palace stand construction not completely secured

XPeng G6: Five Things I Like About It

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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