Compliance & Regulation
Bar Council set for first Black chair after Mills election
Barbara Mills KC is set to become the first Black person and person of colour to lead the Bar in 2025 after being elected as vice-chair of the Bar Council for next year, amid a flurry of appointments.
Senior partner who admitted acting “disgracefully” is struck off
A former senior partner who admitted acting “disgracefully” and dishonestly by creating invoices for probate work that had already been paid for, has been struck off.
Firms must avoid “knee-jerk response” to sexual misconduct claims
Law firms must avoid giving a “knee-jerk response” to complaints of sexual harassment, a leading reputation management lawyer has said.
Suspension for bankrupt solicitor who continued to practise as locum
A solicitor who continued working after going bankrupt, which automatically suspended her practising certificate, and also pursued a private property purchase, has been suspended indefinitely.
Lawyers facing SRA investigations need “regulatory realism”
Lawyers being investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority should show “regulatory realism” and avoid acting as if they faced private litigation, an expert has cautioned.
Strike-off for solicitor who deleted SRA emails to co-owner wife
A man who deleted emails to his wife, a fellow solicitor and co-owner of their firm, to try and hide an investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, has been struck off.
Solicitor put forward benefit fraud scheme to client
A solicitor who suggested a dishonest scheme that would allow his client to commit benefit fraud – and enrich himself – has been struck off.
Barrister with assault conviction fined for drink driving
A barrister who was suspended for four months in 2020 following an assault conviction, has been fined £5,500 by a Bar disciplinary tribunal for drink driving.
SRA sanctions another solicitor “unaware” of being partner at firm
A lawyer who claimed she was unaware that she was a law firm’s partner has been sanctioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), two years after another partner said the same.
No cab-rank rule breach – yet – for barrister signatories of eco-resolution
The BSB will not take action against barristers who have committed not to prosecute climate protestors or work for fossil fuel companies – at least until they actually refuse instructions.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
