Compliance & Regulation
LSB approves separation of compliance and management roles
The Legal Services Board has approved rule changes to separate law firm managers who can “unilaterally” make decisions from compliance officer roles in all but the smallest firms.
Barrister recorded court hearings and made fun of ex-employee
A barrister who made illicit audio recordings of court hearings in family proceedings has been disbarred, after her second disciplinary tribunal appearance in five years.
Legal consultant to chambers challenges contempt referral
A legal consultant to a barristers’ chambers referred by a High Court judge to the Attorney General for possible contempt of court proceedings has filed an appeal.
Unregulated divorce service poised to launch law firm
Divorce and separation service amicable – which markets itself as an alternative to solicitors – is to enter regulation for the first time by setting up its own law firm.
Law firm directors struck off for misusing client account money
Two directors of a City law firm have been struck off for acting dishonestly in making an unauthorised payment from client account of almost £95,000 to a third party.
SRA and FCA “need statutory powers” to view privileged material
The government needs to give both the SRA and FCA explicit powers to see privileged material when investigating lawyers, an anti-corruption charity has said.
Rebuke for solicitor “who relied on memory, not records”
A law firm owner who acted “based on her recollections as opposed to checking facts” has been rebuked after letting administration of an estate drift for six years.
Consumer panel admits error but row with CLC goes on
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has accepted part of the criticism made by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers of a recent report – but not gone as far as demanded.
SRA and Law Society to collect £224m from solicitors
The Law Society and SRA are set to collect a total of £224m in fees from solicitors for the next practising year, £50m more than the current year.
Strike-off for solicitor who exploited vulnerable investors
A solicitor who “exploited and misled” the Zimbabwean women she claimed to be empowering has been struck off.
Blog
The trade-off mid-sized firm partners think they’re making
Most of the partners I talk to describe the same tension. They want the firm to run efficiently and hit its numbers, but they also want their people to feel supported, developed and fairly treated.
Communication as the core of client care in conveyancing
How a conveyancer approaches client care – particularly in relation to communication – can be the greatest differentiator for the success of a conveyancing firm.
Why brilliant lawyers sometimes fail
A question that often strikes a chord with partners in law firms is this: why is it that individuals who excel in one role sometimes struggle when promoted into another?
Reports
Associates
