Compliance & Regulation
IBA project to probe role of lawyers as “ethical gatekeepers”
The International Bar Association has launched a project to examine the role of lawyers as “ethical gatekeepers” within wider society and help clarify their ethical responsibilities at work.
Email phishing and ransomware on the rise, SRA warns firms
Email-based fraud is on the rise and is the dominant method criminals use to access law firms’ systems, with ransomware was also increasing and evolving, according to the SRA.
Lawyers “underestimate public appetite” for using technology
Lawyers underestimate the public’s appetite for using technology in the delivery of legal services, a major study by the Legal Services Board and Solicitors Regulation Authority has found.
Solicitor who did not understand her firm’s accounts suspended
A solicitor who told the Solicitors Regulation Authority that she had “fucked up” her law firm’s accounts has been suspended for six months by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Government to keep lawyers out of Russia services ban
The government has indicated that legal services will not be added to the ban on services exports to Russia that encompasses accountancy, management consultancy and PR.
PI claims leaving some clients worse off, Legal Ombudsman warns
Some “moderate” personal injury claims are leaving clients worse off than they were before because solicitors are failing to consider the costs and benefits, the Legal Ombudsman has said.
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.
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.
