Compliance & Regulation
Struck-off solicitor now jailed for £400,000 theft from two law firms
A struck-off solicitor and former deputy district judge who defrauded his clients at two law firms of nearly £400,000 over the course of 17 years has been jailed for four years.
“We messed up” – apologetic SRA to be censured for SSB failures
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has apologised for failures in its oversight of SSB Law and is set to be censured for them by the Legal Services Board.
SSB report: What went wrong and how to avoid a repeat
We summarise the key findings of the Carson McDowell report into the SRA’s handling of SSB and the recommendations it makes to avoid a repeat.
SSB report: The timeline of missed opportunities
At the heart of the report into the SRA’s handling of SSB Law is the argument that the regulator missed opportunities to act earlier. This is what happened and when.
Abuse survivors “should get legal aid to tackle SLAPPs”
Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the UK should get legal aid to defend themselves against SLAPPs, a report has argued, calling also for more action by legal regulators.
Ban for trainee lawyer who helped fugitive brother flee UK
A trainee property lawyer who helped her brother flee the country so he could avoid prosecution for murder has been disqualified from working for law firms.
Head of family law cleared of serious wrongdoing over decree nisi
A senior family lawyer has been cleared of dishonesty and lack of integrity over an application for a decree nisi that was not made and remained outstanding for a year.
Mazur: LSB to review past guidance issued on litigation rights
The LSB is to review how all the regulators and representative bodies have “ensured that information on conducting litigation was accurate and reliable”, in the wake of the Mazur ruling.
Solicitor who did not disclose “catastrophic” evidence struck off
A personal injury solicitor who withheld a piece of evidence he knew would be “catastrophic” to his client’s case has been struck off.
“No incentive” for private equity investors to dilute firms’ ethics
There is no reason why a law firm backed by private equity would be “less professionally ethical” than one owned by its lawyer-partners, a regulatory specialist has argued.
Blog
Judging proportionate risk requires confidence. Do law firms have it?
As of 30 June 2026, the money laundering regulations have been updated again, this time to make the regime more proportionate and addressing unnecessary over-compliance.
Is clients’ use of AI destroying legal privilege?
Much has been written about the risks of lawyers misusing AI. However, in my view, the greater challenge lies elsewhere: the routine use of AI by clients themselves.
Does the Lloyd review mark the end of the Legal Services Act?
The Legal Services Board often generates eye-rolls and irritation from the leaders of the frontline regulators it oversees and of the representative bodies attached to them.
