Compliance & Regulation
SRA plans huge increase in fines for misconduct by wealthy solicitors
The SRA is planning huge increases in the fines it can impose for misconduct by wealthy solicitors – from the current £50,000 to £805,000 – while reducing them for lower earners.
Solicitor rebuked for offering invalid document certification services
A solicitor who called himself a notary when he was not and ‘apostilled’ documents despite not being allowed to has been rebuked after he said he was unaware of the restrictions.
“Manifestly incompetent” solicitor did not touch probate file for decade
A solicitor was manifestly incompetent in failing to progress probate matters for as long as a decade, but his misconduct did not amount to a lack of integrity, a tribunal has ruled.
Tweeting barrister’s £3m claim against former chambers thrown out
The barrister who left his chambers following a storm last year over a tweet about a “stroppy teenager of colour” has had a £3m discrimination claim against the set thrown out for being time-barred.
SRA contradicts Blacker’s claim that it paid him libel damages
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has contradicted the claim made by notorious ex-solicitor Dr Alan Blacker to the Charity Tribunal earlier this year that it paid him damages for defamation.
LawtechUK to turn focus on access to justice and SME law firms
LawtechUK is to look at how technology can support greater access to legal services for both consumers and SMEs in the next phase of its development, the organisation’s new director has said.
Solicitor fined for “inadvertent” use of client account as banking facility
A former City law firm owner has been fined by Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for “inadvertent” errors in allowing his client account to be used as a banking facility.
Partner who told trainee to change dates of deed is struck off
A partner who told a trainee solicitor to change the date on a mortgage deed before sending it to Companies House and then to the Land Registry has been struck off.
Watchdog launches probe into Blacker’s legal advice charity
The Charity Commission has begun an investigation into the Joint Armed Forces Legal Advocacy Service in the wake of the continued involvement of notorious struck-off solicitor Dr Alan Blacker.
City partner rebuked for trial livestreaming breach
A City partner who allowed a trial to be livestreamed to observers outside the UK without the court’s permission has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
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.
