Compliance & Regulation
Rebuke for solicitor who made baseless perjury threat
A solicitor who emailed an opposing litigant after they instructed lawyers and made baseless threats of perjury against them has been rebuked.
SDT rejects solicitor’s “meritless” appeal over undertaking breach
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has rejected an appeal by a solicitor against a fine of £7,500 imposed on him by an SRA adjudication panel, describing it as having no merit.
Jail for property solicitor who defrauded own firm of £160k
A long-serving property solicitor who defrauded a Hereford law firm out of £160,000 by diverting disbursement payments into her own bank account has been jailed for 30 months.
Judge overturns suspension of barrister who lied to client about papers
It was “clearly inappropriate” for a Bar disciplinary tribunal to suspend a barrister who lied to a direct access client over papers that were accidentally destroyed by his chambers.
Suspension for solicitor “who would not allow firm to be regulated”
A law firm owner who failed to pay a wasted costs order as well as four fines imposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has been suspended for six months.
New powers for regulator to crack down on immigration advisers
There is “growing evidence” that unregulated immigration lawyers are abusing the system, the government has claimed in unveiling beefed-up powers for the Immigration Advice Authority.
SSB used “unethical tactics” to stop clients dropping cases
SSB Law has been accused of employing “unethical tactics” to retain clients who wanted to drop their cases and the Solicitors Regulation Authority condemned for its response.
SDT reprimands solicitor who failed to comply with LeO decision
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has reprimanded a solicitor who did not comply with a direction from the Legal Ombudsman – but said it should not have reached the tribunal.
BSB: Barristers need to embrace tech to improve client service
The structure of the Bar impedes the adoption of technology and innovation, but barristers need to do so to drive “a better and more efficient service for clients”, a BSB report has argued.
PI boss paid clients damages after messing up their claims
A law firm boss who told three personal injury clients their cases had succeeded when actually they had not, and even paid them damages, has been struck off.
Blog
The importance of benchmarking reports – and lessons on profitability
Regional firms reported the largest revenue growth this year (12%), outpacing their City counterparts. Yet many are not converting that growth into profitability.
Fixed recoverable costs: Sacrificing justice for predictability?
The extended fixed recoverable costs regime is failing to achieve its stated objectives. Instead of promoting fairness and efficiency, the rules are creating anomalies that undermine justice.
Expectations keep rising, so prioritise client experience
Law firms are facing growing pressure to place greater focus on client experience or risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive legal market.
