Compliance & Regulation
“I totally cracked” – law firm founder struck off for client money theft
The founder of new-model law firm Cubism Law has explained how he “totally cracked” under the pressure of its financial problems, leading him to dishonestly misappropriate client funds.
SDT: Drink-drive solicitor did not automatically undermine public trust
A solicitor convicted of drink-driving after a motorbike accident did not automatically undermine public trust in the profession, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has ruled.
Profession has struggled with AML rules, says firm fined £10,000
A Surrey law firm has been fined £10,000 for breaches of the anti-money laundering rules in its training, approach to risk assessment and in a conveyancing transaction which produced £850 in fees.
Solicitor struck off for “sophisticated” Land Registry fraud
A solicitor jailed for more than three years for forging Land Registry documents in a family dispute with the owners of a Newcastle takeaway has been struck off.
SRA bid to cut Compensation Fund payout cap facing rejection
Controversial Solicitors Regulation Authority plans to cut the maximum award from its Compensation Fund from £2m to £500,000 are facing rejection by the Legal Services Board.
SRA backs new cyber-losses clause for indemnity policies
The extent to which losses caused by cyber attacks are covered by law firms’ professional indemnity insurance policies is to be clarified by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Fine for solicitor who acted on both sides in “undue influence” house sale
A solicitor acted for both sides in a house sale at an undervalue between a 78-year-old woman and her 34-year-old boyfriend, which was set aside by the High Court on the grounds of undue influence.
Solicitors who misused £1m raised from loan notes struck off
Two solicitors who issued £1m in loan notes to prop up their firm have been struck off for misusing the money and leaving their investors nursing huge losses.
Ban for accountant jailed over £400k theft from major City law firm
A management accountant jailed for stealing £400,000 from a major City law firm over six years has now been banned from working in the legal profession.
Solicitor paid away £290k of sale proceeds after falling for email fraud
A veteran solicitor who was tricked by an email fraud to pay out £290,000 in proceeds from a conveyancing transaction to a third party has been fined £10,000.
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.”
