Compliance & Regulation
New duty on licensed conveyancers to treat customers fairly
An explicit requirement on licensed conveyancers to treat customers fairly has been adopted by their regulator as part of a revised set of ethical standards.
Solicitor “grossly abused his position” to dupe investors
A solicitor sacked by national firm Blake Morgan during his probationary period “grossly abused his position” by duping two investors into handing over money on the basis he was still working there.
Partner secretly worked on deal with his firm on opposite side
An experienced partner who secretly worked on the purchase of a property where his firm was acting for the seller has been fined £32,000 for a lack of integrity.
Solicitor apprenticeships launched for part-qualified legal professionals
The first solicitor apprenticeship scheme has been launched which is specifically designed for paralegals part-way through qualifications with other legal bodies.
SDT in rare split decision over married solicitors’ employment of son
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has issued a rare majority decision over the misconduct of husband and wife solicitors in the employment of their son.
Law Society opposes SRA plan to ban firms being paid upfront
Solicitors Regulation Authority plans to stop law firms taking money for costs in advance of work being done could harm those working on fixed fees, the Law Society has warned.
SRA wins approval to destroy 765,000 files from shut-down firms
The High Court has given the Solicitors Regulation Authority permission to destroy immediately around 765,000 files it is storing after intervening in law firms in recent years.
Barrister misled court into removing child from father
A non-practising barrister whose dishonest submissions to a court caused it to order the removal of a small child from her father has been disbarred.
Blavo to face SDT at last over huge legal aid fraud
The boss of Blavo & Co – the major legal aid firm found by the High Court to have made fraudulent claims on public funds – will finally face the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal this month.
Tribunal lifts condition on solicitor “manipulated” by timeshare scheme
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has lifted a condition on a former law firm boss who admitted she had “permitted herself to be manipulated” by a timeshare scheme.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
