Compliance & Regulation
Signs of progress at Legal Ombudsman, figures show
Performance at the Legal Ombudsman is finally improving, with more cases being closed, but dealing with the backlog is only lengthening wait times for new complainants.
International innovation to inform ongoing competence reform
New forms of intervention introduced in other countries to ensure the ongoing competence of lawyers – such as annual assessments and greater self-reflection – will influence reform in England and Wales.
Tribunal refuses to restore sanctioned solicitor’s “pride”
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has refused to remove conditions on the practising certificate of a 63-year-old solicitor who said he wanted to recover his “pride and dignity”.
Tribunal rejects solicitor’s plea to end indefinite suspension
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has refused to terminate an indefinite suspension imposed on a solicitor a decade ago, saying he had not proved he was ready to return to practise.
Solicitor who misused vulnerable clients’ compensation struck off
A solicitor used “vulnerable” clients’ money for his own purposes, as well as holding onto cash for disbursements and leaving client damages in his office account, has been struck off.
Barrister who switched from crime to family “was not on top of the rules”
A barrister sanctioned for talking to the opposing lay client in the absence of their lawyer had switched from criminal to family law and “was simply not on top” of the rules, it has emerged.
BSB probing barrister who tweeted about “stroppy teenager of colour”
The Bar Standards Board is taking action against the barrister who caused a storm of outrage by tweeting about “the stroppy teenager of colour”, he has confirmed.
SRA backs down over cut to Compensation Fund payout limit
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has backed down over its controversial plan to cut the maximum award from its Compensation Fund from £2m to £500,000.
Law Society warns against forcing firms to point clients to review websites
The Law Society has outlined its opposition to the idea that law firms be required to signpost clients to review websites as part of moves to generate indicators of providers’ quality.
Solicitor cleared of most allegations against him fails in costs bid
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has rejected a bid by a solicitor cleared of most of the allegations made against him for a contribution to the £143,000 he spent defending himself.
Blog
Reorientation in the AI era must begin with the client
Much of the discussion about AI in the legal industry focuses on technology: which tools to adopt and which tasks might get automated. But this misses the deeper story.
Awaab’s Law phase 2: New hazards council tenants can now claim for
The conversation on housing disrepair is moving beyond damp and mould alone. With the rollout of phase 2 of Awaab’s Law, the scope of issues covered is expanding significantly,
Beyond PCP: Can regulators and lawyers work better together next time?
Nearly a decade after the Financial Conduct Authority began investigating the car finance industry, the story of the PCP commission scandal is still unfinished.
