Compliance & Regulation
Barrister disbarred for sexually assaulting child
A barrister who sexually assaulted a child in 1992 and “used his position of trust to groom that victim” has been disbarred.
Government presses ahead with HMRC register plan for conveyancers
The government gave no sign of backing down on requiring conveyancers to register as tax advisers with HM Revenue & Customs in this week’s debate on the Finance Bill.
Judge rejects disbarred barrister’s appeal over immigration firm
An ex-barrister who failed to disclose he had been disbarred has failed in a challenge to the Immigration Advice Authority’s refusal to register his firm.
SRA intervenes into 11 firms making up PM Law group
The SRA has intervened into 11 law firms that between them have 30 trading names following the sudden closure on Monday of the PM Law group..
Law firm can go ahead with Legal Ombudsman judicial review
A law firm has won permission to judicially review a decision by the Legal Ombudsman to award a former client £66,000 in compensation and refunded or waived legal fees.
SRA and FCA warn over multiple representation and termination fees
The SRA and FCA have joined forces to warn about multiple representation and excessive termination fees in motor finance claims.
Confusion reigns as 600-person law firm group suddenly shuts
A group employing 600 people across multiple law firms and offices around the country suddenly closed its doors this week, sparking widespread uncertainty and confusion.
Cost of SRA investigation and enforcement work soars to £23m
The amount of money spent by the Solicitors Regulation Authority on investigations and enforcement has spiralled by 61% over six years, new figures have shown.
In-house lawyer who lied on CVs to “create a persona” struck off
An in-house lawyer who said he lied on a number of CVs to create “a persona that he thought was required for a role in private practice” has been struck off.
Fine for law firm that allowed $23m to go through client account
A law firm run by an ex-Law Society president has been fined £68,000 for anti-money laundering failures, including allowing $23m to pass through its client account with no underlying legal work.
Blog
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.
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
