Compliance & Regulation
PM issues warning to oligarch lawyers as profession hits back at criticism
Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned lawyers and others involved in “assisting corrupt oligarchs” that they will “pay a price” if they have undermined the interests of the UK.
Leading criminal law solicitor struck off over £100 “gift”
A leading criminal law solicitor has been struck off after asking a police station client to pay him £100 for travel costs and then claiming the money from the Legal Aid Agency.
LSB warns Bar Council over objections to “unreasonable” PCF rise
The Legal Services Board has approved a controversial 4.5% increase in the practising certificate fee for barristers, while warning the Bar Council over how it exercises its regulatory functions.
Truss: We’re looking to target law firm enablers of oligarchs
Efforts to target oligarchs will extend to those who enable them, like law firms, foreign secretary Liz Truss confirmed yesterday.
Ukraine war trains harsh spotlight on lawyers who act for oligarchs
Pressure to take action against law firms who act for oligarchs and companies connected with the Russian state is increasing from MPs, peers and journalists.
Solicitor who took £10,000 fee and then ghosted client struck off
A “disgraceful” solicitor who took half of his £20,000 fee for an immigration matter upfront but then did no work and ghosted his client has been struck off.
SDT, BTAS and other tribunals face hefty bills after appeal court ruling
The Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling that a barrister who sat as a tribunal chair for the Nursing and Midwifery Council was a ‘worker’ and entitled to sickness and holiday pay.
Solicitor made up court wins for Facebook and practised unauthorised
A solicitor who practised without authorisation for four years and posted messages on Facebook about made-up cases her firm had supposedly won has been suspended from practice.
Solicitors convicted of fraud ordered to repay £205,000
Two solicitors who were jailed for stealing thousands of pounds from their firm have now been ordered to pay back more than £200,000.
QC among buyers of “less itchy” vegan wigs
A QC is among the first buyers of a new hemp wig, made without the traditional horse hair and developed by a vegan barrister, as the debate over whether wigs should be compulsory has heated up.
Blog
Containing the spread of unapproved AI
Nearly 60% of fee-earners admit to using unapproved tools (like free versions of ChatGPT). Yet 68% of firm leaders are confident there is zero risk of unapproved AI being used for client work.
When AI adoption goes wrong, costs add up fast
City AM recently reported that London is fighting to claim the title of ‘global capital of legal AI’. However, it’s crucial we remember that adoption alone does not create value.
Gen Z lawyers vs identity, sacrifice and success
This conversation began with my training principal, who admitted something many senior lawyers quietly feel: “I struggle to understand what motivates Gen Z lawyers.”
