Compliance & Regulation
Tribunal rejects evidence that ‘Nazi salute’ barrister goose-stepped too
The barrister who gave a Nazi salute to magistrates during proceedings did not also goose-step or say “Sieg Heil”, despite evidence suggesting he did, a tribunal has found.
Legal practice course pass rate fell as SQE was introduced
The pass rate for legal practice course students fell to below 50% in the first year of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, new figures have shown.
Drink-drive solicitor handed unusually high £10,000 fine
The SRA has handed out a £10,000 fine – reduced from £16,000 due to co-operation – to a solicitor convicted of drink driving, an unusually high figure for the offence.
Tribunal slaps Clyde & Co with £500k fine for AML failures
Leading City firm Clyde & Co has been fined £500,000 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal – equalling the highest amount ever – for money laundering offences.
SRA issues first fixed penalty fine for compliance officer rule breach
A law firm in the North-East has become the first to receive a fixed penalty fine for not updating the Solicitors Regulation Authority on information about a compliance officer.
CILEX: Members, consumers and employers back SRA switch
CILEX has reported strong support from members, employers and consumers for its plans to change regulator to the SRA and introduce new professional titles.
Legal Ombudsman urged to publish findings in full
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has put pressure on the Legal Ombudsman to move more quickly towards publishing its decisions in full.
Chambers “should not have to merge for regulatory reasons”
The new chair of the Bar Council has pushed back at the idea floated by the Bar Standards Board that chambers could merge to make regulatory compliance easier.
Solicitor who breached undertakings agrees to leave profession
A solicitor whose failure to comply with multiple undertaking he gave caused significant losses for investors in two property developments, has agreed to leave the profession.
SRA: No plans to act yet on Post Office scandal lawyers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority could take action against solicitors over misconduct in the Post Office scandal before the public inquiry ends but has yet to see evidence that requires it.
Blog
Accountability has to live within governance, not with one person
The assumption has long been that a COLP or COFA is personally exposed to the consequences of anti-money laundering breaches.
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.
