Compliance & Regulation
Firm’s insurer targets fraud exception to defeat £6m claim
Insurer Axis Specialty Europe is trying to exclude its liability for losses of nearly £6m suffered by a US property company due to a fraud perpetrated by a solicitor.
Barrister sanctioned for own fundamentally dishonest PI claim
A non-practising barrister who had his personal injury claim thrown out as fundamentally dishonest has been banned for returning to practice for nine months.
Newly qualified left in charge of firm rebuked over client account failures
A newly qualified solicitor left holding the fort when the sole principal she was working for was hospitalised, has been rebuked after apparent conveyancing frauds happened on her watch.
SRA business plan targets solicitor-advocates and technology
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to check the training records of solicitor-advocates working in the higher courts, its latest business plan has revealed.
Barrister struck off over sexual assault on colleague
A barrister who groped a colleague’s breasts during a night out – for which he was later convicted – and then asked her to lie to help him cover his tracks with his fiancee has been disbarred.
“Slapdash” conveyancer fined £10,000 by SDT
A solicitor who lost sight of who was her client and whose actions in a conveyancing transaction were described as “slapdash” has been fined £10,000.
SRA approves cyber-losses clause despite insurer concerns
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to add a clause on cyber-losses to the minimum terms and conditions of insurance despite concerns expressed by the insurance industry.
City giant to face trial over alleged conflicts of interest
City giant Hogan Lovells only achieved partial success in a bid for summary judgment over complaints that it had multiple conflicts of interest while acting for a Ukrainian tycoon.
Divorce fraud barrister fails in appeal against disbarment
A barrister who deliberately gave the court a wrong address in an effort to obtain a divorce fraudulently has lost his appeal against being disbarred.
LSB approves new regulator for accountant probate providers
The Legal Services Board has approved CILEx Regulation’s application to take over the regulation of probate work carried on by members of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
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.”
