Compliance & Regulation
Solicitor struck off for role in husband’s unlicensed medicines crimes
A solicitor caught up in her husband’s supply of unauthorised medicines and controlled drugs, as well as money laundering, has been struck off.
Peers support widening SRA’s fining and investigative powers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority needs more powers to prevent misconduct by law firms involved in strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPPs), peers have urged.
Civil Mediation Council bids to push up standards in profession
The Civil Mediation Council is creating an independent regulatory body and applying for a Royal charter in a bid to drive up standards in the profession, it has emerged.
Alternative ways to practise as a solicitor have had “modest impact”
The options for solicitors to offer services to the public as freelancers or from unregulated businesses have had a “modest impact on consumer choice”, research for the SRA has found.
Solicitor struck off for making false costs claim to court
A solicitor who tried to pass off costs incurred by someone else as his own before the Business and Property Court has been struck off.
LSB warns regulators of enforcement action on lawyer quality indicators
The Legal Services Board has warned regulators that they could face action over “slow” progress in developing quality indicators to help consumers choose lawyers.
Revealed: MoJ looks at client account interest to support free legal advice
The Ministry of Justice is formally looking at whether interest on some client accounts could be diverted to fund legal services for people unable to afford advice, Legal Futures can reveal.
Conveyancing assistant signed form in name of supervisor
A conveyancing assistant who signed a form purporting to be her line manager because she was under pressure from her client has been barred from working for law firms.
Solicitor cleared over “accidental” kiss with colleague
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed an allegation that a solicitor planted an unwanted kiss on the lips of a more junior colleague at their firm’s spring party.
Chalk accepts “growing case” to review regulation of lawyers
There is “a growing case” for a review of the regulatory framework created by the Legal Services Act 2007, the Lord Chancellor has acknowledged.
Blog
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
