Compliance & Regulation
SRA used “prejudicial hearsay evidence” in failed prosecution
The SRA relied on complaints by anonymous people and “a significant amount of prejudicial hearsay evidence” to support a failed prosecution against two high-profile solicitors.
City giant fined £465k for sanctions breach by Russian arm
The Russian arm of top City firm Herbert Smith Freehills has been fined £465,000 for breaching UK financial sanctions imposed on Russia.
Sidhu disbarred and attacked for “abusing power to perpetrate abuse”
The case of Jo Sidhu KC – who was disbarred yesterday – “exposes the failure of the current systems to effectively prevent sexual misconduct at the Bar”, Harriet Harman KC said yesterday.
Beringer: No rules force law firms to take on questionable clients
There are no rules that require law firms to take on clients outside of criminal work and so they need to be willing to justify their choices publicly, the former senior partner of Allen & Overy said this week.
Anti-corruption champion calls for offence targeting lawyer enablers
The Prime Minister’s anti-corruption champion last night called for a new criminal offence that would see lawyers prosecuted for failing to prevent money laundering and economic crime.
City solicitor suspended from practice for stalking conviction
A City solicitor found guilty of a low-level offence of stalking his ex-girlfriend has been suspended from the profession for six months.
Complaining to the SRA? Don’t expect a quick reply
Members of the public and firms reporting concerns to the SRA will have to wait up to two months for a response, twice the time it was at the start of the year.
Partner who fabricated documents he gave to SRA struck off
A law firm partner has been struck off for fabricating documents to mislead the SRA about his role in mismanaging a client’s personal injury trust.
Solicitor who misled firm about client loans fails in strike-off appeal
A solicitor struck off for multiple rule breaches, including that he actively concealed from his employer the fact that he had taken loans from clients, has failed in his appeal.
Tribunal sends message over sexual harassment at the Bar
Sexual harassment at the Bar that “might have been tolerated and even expected in the past is no longer acceptable”, a disciplinary tribunal has said – but “regrettably, such behaviour is still widespread”.
Blog
Whistleblowing guidance for in-house lawyers – a call to arms
In-house lawyers are in a unique position to spot wrongdoing. But reporting it is not just potentially dangerous from a personal point of view.
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.
