Compliance & Regulation
Axiom Ince now set to cost solicitors £41m
The collapse of Axiom Ince is now set to cost the solicitors’ profession £41m in payouts from the SRA Compensation Fund, it has emerged.
Number of fines issued by SRA more than doubles in a year
The Solicitors Regulation Authority issued 173 fines to law firms and individuals in its last financial year, more than twice the number of the previous year.
SRA gives green light to sale of insurer’s law firm
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has approved the sale of DLG Legal Services – the alternative business structure owned by insurer Direct Line – to Aviva.
Law firm prices have risen ahead of inflation since 2020
Prices for basic legal services have increased by more than inflation in recent years, while law firms offering fixed costs are significantly cheaper than those giving estimates.
Reynolds avoids SRA action – unless he calls himself a solicitor again
The SRA has decided not to take action over business secretary Jonathan Reynolds calling himself a solicitor – but warned him of possible prosecution should he do it again.
Solicitor fails in challenge to judge’s finding of “indefensible” conduct
The Court of Appeal has rejected a solicitor’s challenge to judicial criticism of his “indefensible” conduct, motivated by money, in using leaked privileged material to help win an arbitration.
Unethical behaviour by barristers “more limited and nuanced”
The evidence of unethical behaviour by barristers is “more limited and nuanced” than that relating to other lawyers, the Bar Council has said.
Law firm fined £64k for AML breaches lasting six years
A Kent law firm has been fined nearly £64,000 for basic anti-money laundering control breaches over many years, one of the larger penalties handed out for the failures.
Law Society “pauses” work on material information form
The Law Society has “paused” work on a material information form for conveyancers, after National Trading Standards withdrew it guidance on the issue last month.
Two-year suspension for partner who sexually harassed colleague
A partner who told a junior colleague that he wanted to “dominate you sexually” has been suspended for two years – but his identity kept secret.
Blog
When the person who needs help is the partner
A law firm can have excellent support on paper and still have a serious gap. The gap is the person who cannot imagine using it.
SRA supervision and AI: what firms will be asked to prove
AI intensifies scrutiny of whether firms can demonstrate that they were in control of the systems through which legal services were delivered.
How ELD NextGen will improve employers’ liability tracing
The Employers’ Liability Tracing Office is continuing work towards the launch of ELD NextGen, the next generation of the employers’ liability database, in early 2027.
Reports
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