Compliance & Regulation
Court refuses judicial review of SRA and LAA over control order
A non-solicitor has failed in his attempt to judicially review a control order imposed on him by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Legal Aid Agency’s refusal to fund a tribunal challenge to it.
Tribunal strikes off solicitor jailed for property fraud
A solicitor jailed for conspiracy to commit property frauds has now been struck off, while issuing a statement from prison that he would maintain his innocence “until my demise”.
“Long haul to recover” – BSB counts cost of cyber-attack
A malicious cyber-attack on the Bar Standards Board a month ago – for the fourth time in a year – has proved “catastrophic” for the regulator, a meeting of its governing board heard yesterday.
Supreme Court maintains SRA costs protection for failed prosecutions
The Supreme Court has upheld the principle that costs should only be awarded against the Solicitors Regulation Authority in unsuccessful prosecutions where there is good reason to do so.
Rebuke for partner who took trainee to strip club
A male City partner who added to a female trainee’s discomfort at being taken to a strip club during a work event by putting his arm around her waist has been rebuked.
Solicitor used firm’s client account to administer family finances
A veteran solicitor has been fined for administering her family’s finances through her firm’s client account over 18 years and using it “as an overdraft facility for her family”.
SRA to press ahead with plan to increase fining power to £25,000
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to press ahead with plans to expand its fining powers from the current maximum of £2,000 to £25,000 and introduce fixed penalties for low-level offences.
GC fined over conflicts of interest in instructing outside firm
A former general counsel has been fined for failing to disclose his interest in instructing an external firm and his links with a solicitor he then recommended to that firm.
LSB urges Citizens Advice-style service for small businesses
A national legal support and information service for small businesses, akin to Citizens Advice, would help bridge a “significant access to justice gap”, the Legal Services Board says today.
High-profile solicitor’s SDT fined upped because of role at tribunal
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal rejected a lower fine for high-profile solicitor Karen Todner, in part because she was the tribunal’s vice-president at the time of her misconduct.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
