Compliance & Regulation
APIL calls for flexibility on ethics discussions
The SRA should not impose an “overly burdensome and arbitrary” annual requirement on law firms to hold three-hour ethics discussions for their solicitors, says APIL.
Suspension for solicitor who let work as deputy drift for 16 years
A solicitor who acted as a deputy for 16 years and did little to protect her client’s interests in that time has been suspended from practice for six months.
SDT clears conveyancer of taking instructions from client’s son
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has cleared a conveyancer of taking instructions from a client’s son and of manifest incompetence in a property transaction.
SRA warns over “emerging” money laundering risks for law firms
Acting for cash-intensive high street businesses and relying on existing due diligence are “emerging” risks in the fight against money laundering, the SRA has warned.
Strike-off for conveyancer who repeatedly lied to client
A veteran solicitor who repeatedly lied to a client, giving her false assurances over a period of two years about the registration of her property, has been struck off.
Male solicitor struck off for explicit messages to female barrister
A veteran male solicitor who sent a stream of “sexually charged” messages to a female barrister his firm was instructing, even after she told him to stop, has been struck off.
New model complaints procedure “does not guarantee compliance”
The Legal Ombudsman has warned lawyers that using its new model complaints resolution procedure is not “a proxy” for regulatory compliance.
In-house lawyers should “train PR staff on risks of greenwashing”
In-house lawyers should train their company’s marketing and communications teams on the risks of ‘greenwashing’, the Law Society has advised in new guidance.
In-house solicitor struck off for sexually assaulting colleague
A veteran solicitor who continues to dispute his conviction for sexual assault has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
ICO raids mark latest stage in motor finance claims crackdown
The ICO has executed search warrants across the UK as part of investigations into companies sending millions of text messages about motor finance claims.
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
