Compliance & Regulation
High Court upholds SDT decision to clear former Law Society president
The High Court has dismissed an appeal against a decision of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal to clear former Law Society president David Greene of lying to the county court.
Partner agrees to leave profession for “recklessly” misleading firm
A former equity partner at Thompsons has agreed to remove himself from the roll after admitting he “recklessly” misled it about the intimate nature of his relationship with a colleague.
Tribunal ends solicitor’s indefinite suspension after 15 years
The SDT has permitted a solicitor it indefinitely suspended 15 years ago to return to practise after he provided “full and comprehensive evidence of training in property law”.
Gray’s Inn admits student charged in Greece over refugee work
Gray’s Inn has admitted as a student member a man who is facing a criminal prosecution in Greece over refugee rescue work he did as a volunteer in Greece.
Research: Consumers find multiplicity of legal regulators confusing
The public finds different regulators for different part of the legal profession confusing and backs the Solicitors Regulation Authority taking oversight of chartered legal executives.
LSB calls in Northern Irish law firm to assist with SRA Axiom probe
The Legal Services Board has retained a Northern Irish law firm to assist with its review of regulatory events leading up to the SRA’s intervention into Axiom Ince.
Barristers face 9.5% increase in cost of practising next year
Barristers are facing a 9.5% increase in the cost of their practising certificates next year, reduced from 13.5% with the Bar Council again planning to use its reserves to mitigate the increase.
SDT lifts restriction on law firm owner after closure warning
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has removed a condition on the practising certificate of the owner of a legal aid law firm after he warned that it could force the firm to close.
Anti-bullying training “should be compulsory for barristers”
Training to prevent bullying and harassment should be compulsory for barristers, the leader of gender equality group Behind the Gown has said.
Law firm finance head lied about fraud conviction to get job
A law firm employed a head of finance who concealed the fact that he had been jailed in Ireland for defrauding his previous employer.
Blog
Client account interest is not spare change
The proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme is being framed as a sensible, international, “tried and tested” way for the profession to help fund a justice system under strain.
The formula for finance-enabled business development
Client concentration or over-dependence now counts as a top strategic risk for 26% of firms. Cross-selling is an antidote – a way to bolster revenue resilience without relying on client acquisition.
Whistleblowing guidance for in-house lawyers – a call to arms
In-house lawyers are in a unique position to spot wrongdoing. But reporting it is not just potentially dangerous from a personal point of view.
