Compliance & Regulation
AML overseer tells legal regulators to up their efforts
The body tasked with overseeing legal regulators’ anti-money laundering work said yesterday it was not seeing “the consistent, effective improvement we need”.
City solicitors lambast SRA’s plans for new fining regime
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s proposed reform of its fining powers is arbitrary, not fit for purpose, and inconsistent with its legal obligations, City solicitors have warned.
“Not a steady state period” – SRA extends chair’s term
The board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority has decided to extend Anna Bradley’s term as chair for a further two years rather than recruit a replacement.
SRA ban for employed barrister jailed for rape
An employed barrister jailed for raping a woman he met on Tinder has been banned from working for law firms after he failed in his appeal.
Strike-off for solicitor who used client money to keep firm afloat
A sole practitioner who used client money to pay his law firm’s business costs, including the salaries of several family members who worked for him, has been struck off.
Solicitor convicted of blackmailing fellow director struck off
A solicitor convicted of blackmailing a fellow director with a threat to blow the whistle in an attempt to negotiate an exit from their company has been struck off.
Proudman can argue BSB discrimination in Bar tribunal case
Dr Charlotte Proudman will be allowed to argue before a disciplinary tribunal that the Bar Standards Board discriminated against her by bringing a prosecution over tweets she posted.
Firm fined for AML compliance failure as solicitor faces tribunal
An East London law firm has become the latest to be fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority over its failure to comply with anti-money laundering rules.
Leading lawyer “gobsmacked” by SRA review of asylum firms
A leading immigration lawyer was “gobsmacked” by a Solicitors Regulation Authority finding that legally aided work was perceived as being “of lower quality”.
Barrister-led legal compliance business bought by private equity
Barrister-led legal compliance business Briefed is to merge with a firm of recruitment consultants, following its acquisition by private equity firm Omni Partners.
Blog
The formula for finance-enabled business development
Client concentration or over-dependence now counts as a top strategic risk for 26% of firms. Cross-selling is an antidote – a way to bolster revenue resilience without relying on client acquisition.
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.
