Compliance & Regulation
Panicked solicitor under-settled claim and misled client
A solicitor panicked after realising she had missed a court deadline and under-settled her client’s personal injury claim before leading them on for more than four years about its progress.
BSB pushes back deadlines for clearing work backlogs
The Bar Standards Board has pushed back the deadlines set for clearing backlogs in its handling of misconduct reports and authorisations.
Lawyers “cannot hide from responsibility” for client actions
Lawyers are not “neutral technicians” and “cannot hide from responsibility for what clients do with the legal advice they provide”, a leading legal academic has warned.
US ABS reform is “spurring innovation”
The introduction of alternative business structures in two US states is “spurring innovation”, the first research into the initiatives has found – but how reform is introduced matters.
BSB plans “statement of good practice” for chambers
The Bar Standards Board is planning a “statement of consolidated good practice” for chambers, which sets out how to go “above and beyond” the minimum regulatory requirements.
Private client specialist banned for backdating LPA signatures
An experienced private client lawyer who backdated his client’s signature on lasting powers of attorney has been banned from working for law firms.
Law Society and Bar Council oppose economic crime reforms
The Law Society and Bar Council have expressed concern about new economic crime provisions put forward by the government that target the legal profession.
SRA fines firm with “failing” anti-money laundering controls
A law firm with a “failing” anti-money laundering control environment, leading to multiple rule breaches, has been fined £2,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
SDT grants law firm access to papers to help sue struck-off solicitor
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has granted a law firm access to papers from a recent case to help legal action being taken against the solicitor it struck off.
Licensed conveyancers to face explicit duty to treat customers fairly
An explicit requirement on licensed conveyancers to treat customers fairly has been proposed as part of a new statement of ethical principles by their regulator.
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.
