Compliance & Regulation
Solicitor who “considered herself to be the client” is struck off
A solicitor “considered herself to be the client” while operating under a lasting power of attorney, sending bills to herself and massively overcharging the elderly client involved.
Solicitor who stole £275,000 from client’s estate struck off
A solicitor who abused his position as the executor of an estate and stole £275,000 from it to spend on an “excessive lifestyle” has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Barrister fined for tweet that “could promote hostility towards Muslims”
A barrister at the centre of a storm of outrage over tweets he published earlier this year has been fined and warned over one tweet that was offensive and “could promote hostility towards Muslims”.
Solicitor avoids strike-off for disabled badge dishonesty
A solicitor has been suspended for six months after being convicted of using a disabled parking badge with intent to deceive shortly after she qualified.
Finance director used client funds to pay VAT and salaries
The former finance director of a law firm has been banned from the law after using “residual client monies” kept in a separate deposit account to pay the firm’s VAT and staff salaries.
LSB delays decision on new breed of accountant probate providers
The Legal Services Board has given itself more time to decide on whether to approve a new breed of law firm created by CILEx Regulation and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Law firm fined £18,000 for working with struck-off solicitor
An alternative business structure has been fined £18,000 for working with a struck-off solicitor without the approval of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Solicitor told SRA client files were “locked in a safe in Pakistan”
A solicitor who told the Solicitors Regulation Authority that his firm’s client files were “locked in a safe in Pakistan”, and used client money to pay a VAT bill, has been struck off.
Cost of practising as a solicitor set to fall by 6.7%
The cost of practising as a solicitor is to fall by 6.7% in the coming year, although it may have to rise in future once the Law Society sets a new reserves policy.
Head of failed PI firm struck off for “double funding” cases
The director of a law firm who admitted taking money from two different litigation funders for the same cases in an attempt to keep it operating “at all costs” has been struck off.
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.”
