Compliance & Regulation
Ex-solicitor labelled “disgrace to profession” refused return to practice
A former solicitor, labelled a “dishonest crook, swindler and cheat” by a Crown Court judge 14 years ago after being convicted of assisting illegal immigration, will not be returning to practice.
UK law firms banned from handling transactional work for Russians
UK law firms will be unable to provide “transactional legal advisory services” to Russians after the government ratcheted up the sanctions regime yet further.
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.
Blog
Awaab’s Law phase 2: New hazards council tenants can now claim for
The conversation on housing disrepair is moving beyond damp and mould alone. With the rollout of phase 2 of Awaab’s Law, the scope of issues covered is expanding significantly,
Beyond PCP: Can regulators and lawyers work better together next time?
Nearly a decade after the Financial Conduct Authority began investigating the car finance industry, the story of the PCP commission scandal is still unfinished.
Accountability has to live within governance, not with one person
The assumption has long been that a COLP or COFA is personally exposed to the consequences of anti-money laundering breaches.
