Compliance & Regulation
LSB caps ombudsman’s budget rise despite dire warning of impact
The Legal Ombudsman has been given a budget for its next financial year that it says will not be sufficient to meet its operational or strategic needs.
LSB introduces hierarchy in lawyers’ ethical duties
New requirements to strengthen ethical standards now expressly state that lawyers must place their duties to the court and to act with independence, above acting in the best interests of their client.
MPs probe chair-elect of LSB over conflict of interest risk
MPs yesterday grilled the prospective chair of the Legal Services Board over a potential conflict of interest with her existing role as chair of King’s Counsel Appointments.
No strike-off for solicitor’s “spontaneous dishonesty”
A solicitor who signed a deed as a witness to a signature when she had not actually been present has escaped being struck off.
Three-quarters of SDT cases take longer than six months
Only 24% of Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal cases concluded within six months last year, according to new figures from the organisation.
Legal Ombudsman names eight firms over “serious” service failures
A Liverpool law firm ordered to bear the cost of redeeming a client’s mortgage because of mistakes made in a conveyancing matter is among eight named by the Legal Ombudsman.
Law firm wrongly paid out £2.5m of client monies, High Court rules
A law firm paid away £2.5m in client monies without instruction and also forged its client’s signature on multiple documents, the High Court has decided.
Junior solicitor lied about applying for grants of probate
A junior solicitor who told clients, colleagues and others that she had submitted applications for grants of probate when she had not, has been struck off.
Solicitor fails in challenge to suspension over litigation misconduct
The High Court has rejected an appeal by a solicitor suspended for a year for engaging in “persistent, abusive litigation conduct”.
Rapson sets out priorities for turning round SRA performance
Changes in how solicitors are supervised, taking more time to listen to the profession and reviewing the threshold for action are among the SRA’s priorities for this year.
Blog
Is clients’ use of AI destroying legal privilege?
Much has been written about the risks of lawyers misusing AI. However, in my view, the greater challenge lies elsewhere: the routine use of AI by clients themselves.
Does the Lloyd review mark the end of the Legal Services Act?
The Legal Services Board often generates eye-rolls and irritation from the leaders of the frontline regulators it oversees and of the representative bodies attached to them.
A familiar story?
There is no doubt that the rising cost of clinical negligence claims deserves attention. However, the system’s true cost driver is often not the claim itself.
