Compliance & Regulation
BSB mulls SLAPPs guidance as Zahawi’s solicitors are referred to SRA
The BSB is considering following the SRA in issuing guidance on SLAPPs. It comes as the solicitors acting for Conservative Party chairman Nadeem Zahawi have been reported under the SRA notice.
Solicitor jailed for 12 years for castle fraud after private prosecution
A solicitor has been jailed for 12 years for fraud by abuse of a position of trust following a private prosecution brought by his former client.
Ban for conveyancer who took second job with client on the quiet
A licensed conveyancer who took a second job working for a client without telling her firm, and then failed to follow its procedures when dealing with him, has been sanctioned for her misconduct.
Chambers focusing diversity efforts on access to the Bar, not retention
Chambers are focusing their efforts to improve racial diversity on recruitment rather than progression or retention, a Bar Council report has found.
Banks stopping law firms with licences acting for sanctioned people
There have been “numerous scenarios” where banks have stopped solicitors working under government licences for those subject to UK sanctions by refusing to process transactions, the SRA has said.
Warning for profession, help for public – SRA steps up SLAPPs pressure
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is now investigating 29 cases where law firms might be involved in SLAPPs, it revealed yesterday as it issued a warning notice over such abusive litigation.
Pioneering apprentices qualify as solicitors at leading law firm
Seven apprentices at the first large law firm to run the training scheme – which takes six years and includes a law degree – have qualified as solicitors.
Solicitor had “massive holes” in accounts knowledge
A law firm owner who admitted having “massive holes” in her knowledge of the accounts rules has been fined £5,000 after letting a £41,000 shortfall build up on client account.
Solicitor struck off for single incident of “manifest incompetence”
A solicitor whose incompetence enabled the transfer of an elderly man’s property to fraudsters for no consideration has been struck off, even although it was a single incident in a 19-year career.
SRA uses enhanced fining power for the first time with £15,000 penalty
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has used its enhanced fining power for the first time, imposing a £15,000 fine on a solicitor who failed clients subject to deputyship orders.
Blog
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
Why this is the year for law firms to embrace generative AI
After more than a year of pilots, proofs of value and early experimentation, firms are increasingly embedding AI into day-to-day workflows.
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.
