Compliance & Regulation
SDT makes order against Spanish lawyer after jurisdiction challenge
A former Spanish partner of City firm Ashurst has failed in a challenge to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal’s jurisdiction in assessing his inappropriate conduct towards two female colleagues.
SDT clears newly qualified solicitor in “chaotic” firm
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed all allegations against a newly qualified solicitor working in “a chaotic operational and management structure”.
Women barristers “disproportionately affected” by new complaints rule
Women will be “disproportionately adversely affected” by plans to introduce mandatory reporting by barristers of any complaints barristers receive, the Bar Council has warned.
Property owned by ex-wife of convicted solicitor sold
The SFO has secured £1.1m from the sale of a house following the first unexplained wealth order, issued against the ex-wife of the solicitor behind the Axiom Legal Financing Fund fraud.
Suspension for managing partner who fabricated client-care letter
A managing partner who fabricated a client-care letter and backdated it has been suspended for 12 months, after an allegation of dishonesty was dropped.
“Too many examples of judicial bullying,” says Lady Chief Justice
The Lady Chief Justice has acknowledged that a minority of judges fail to behave with the professionalism and courtesy expected of them.
Harman urges drastic action to end Bar’s “culture of impunity”
“Decisive and radical change” is needed at the Bar and the bench to reset a “culture of impunity” that allows those at the top to bully or harass others, the Harman review has concluded.
Solicitor suspended over trivial but dishonest email change
A solicitor who dishonestly made a minor amendment to an email when he forwarded it to a client – causing no harm to them or anyone else – has been suspended for a year.
Law Society plan for 10-fold rise in SGM threshold “shocking”
The group that last year requisitioned a special general meeting of the Law Society has described plans to make it much harder to do so in future as “shocking”.
AML reforms could see banks ask for details of solicitors’ clients
Proposed government changes to anti-money laundering rules around pooled client accounts could raise issues around client confidentiality and privilege, experts have warned.
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
