Compliance & Regulation
Solicitor who billed clients for work he had not done struck off
A private client lawyer who billed clients for work he had not done has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
SRA to double size of leadership team as BSB names new chief
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to double the size of the leadership team under chief executive Sarah Rapson with the creation of four new director-level posts.
Lawyers resolve most complaints themselves under LeO pilot
Lawyers testing the Legal Ombudsman’s model complaints resolution procedure resolved most of the complaints themselves, it has emerged.
BBC sting heaps pressure on immigration lawyers and SRA
A BBC undercover investigation has again thrown the spotlight on immigration lawyers, claiming that “a shadow industry of law firms and advisers” is helping migrants bring bogus asylum cases.
Government sets out conditions for ‘excepted’ NDAs
The government has proposed detailed conditions which would allow employers and workers to sign NDAs relating to harassment or discrimination in strictly limited situations.
SRA “wants conversation about who handles complaints about solicitors”
The SRA “would love to have a conversation” about whether the responsibility for handling complaints should continue to be split with the Legal Ombudsman, MPs have heard.
Solicitor who falsely recorded time to meet targets struck off
A solicitor who falsely recorded 100 hours of time to help meet her billing targets has been struck off, despite recognition of the mental health issues she was facing at the time.
Law Society trains focus on SRA for Mazur supervision guidance
The Law Society has put the focus on the SRA to give the profession guidance on what amounts to supervision following the Mazur ruling.
Keep out of employment issues, solicitors tell SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been told to leave employment issues such as bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct to law firms and the courts.
Law firm fails in appeal against £68k fine for AML failures
A law firm run by an ex-Law Society president has failed in an appeal against a £68,000 fine imposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for anti-money laundering failures.
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”.
