Compliance & Regulation
Retired solicitor struck off for falsifying letter in bid to explain rule breach
A 75-year-old solicitor has been struck off after he provided a client with a banking facility for over 20 years and then faked a letter of retainer to cover himself.
SRA leads Agile Nations project to create global legal services market
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is leading a project called the Agile Nations Lawtech Innovation Network aimed at helping to create a global market for legal services.
SRA needs “radical rethink” to change disproportionate focus on BAME solicitors
The Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to rethink its approach radically to tackle the “grimly entrenched” problem of ethnic minority solicitors being over-represented in its enforcement work.
BSB signals tougher approach to transparency rules compliance
Approaching one in 10 chambers admit failing to comply with the Bar Standards Board’s service and price transparency rules, with the regulator now set to toughen up its approach to enforcement.
High Court orders solicitor to hand over firm’s files to SRA
The High Court has ordered a high-profile solicitor to surrender her firm’s files after the Solicitors Regulation Authority closed it down but she refused to co-operate.
Economic crime levy “could impact law firm structures”
Some law firms may have to make structural changes to ameliorate the impact of the government’s economic crime levy, solicitors have warned.
Legal regulators slammed for “lacking expertise” on comparison data
Data already in the public domain cannot easily be adapted to help consumers choose a lawyer, mainly due to failings by legal regulators, according to research.
SDT releases Ecohouse documents to campaign group
The Transparency Task Force has been granted access to a limited number of documents used in Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearings relating to a collapsed Brazilian property investment scheme.
Bar students need more pupillage data to avoid “buyer’s remorse”
Bar students should be given detailed information from chambers about their pupillage criteria to avoid suffering from “buyer’s remorse” when they realise how difficult it is to succeed.
SRA sends police money laundering reports linked to £180m of funds
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has almost quadrupled the number of suspicious activity reports it sends to the police about possible money laundering by law firms.
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.”
