Compliance & Regulation
LSB warns regulators of enforcement action on lawyer quality indicators
The Legal Services Board has warned regulators that they could face action over “slow” progress in developing quality indicators to help consumers choose lawyers.
Revealed: MoJ looks at client account interest to support free legal advice
The Ministry of Justice is formally looking at whether interest on some client accounts could be diverted to fund legal services for people unable to afford advice, Legal Futures can reveal.
Conveyancing assistant signed form in name of supervisor
A conveyancing assistant who signed a form purporting to be her line manager because she was under pressure from her client has been barred from working for law firms.
Solicitor cleared over “accidental” kiss with colleague
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed an allegation that a solicitor planted an unwanted kiss on the lips of a more junior colleague at their firm’s spring party.
Chalk accepts “growing case” to review regulation of lawyers
There is “a growing case” for a review of the regulatory framework created by the Legal Services Act 2007, the Lord Chancellor has acknowledged.
SRA seeks power to launch “spot checks” of law firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has called for the power to launch “wide-sweeping inspections” of law firms without needing the trigger of a specific allegation of misconduct.
Pupillage providers using blind recruitment “are less diverse”
Pupillage providers using blind or contextual recruitment techniques have a higher proportion of male and White pupils than those who do not, Bar Standards Board research has found.
Ex-City solicitor jailed for 15 years over investment frauds
A former City solicitor who was one of the architects of a Ponzi scheme that multiplied into several investment frauds has been jailed for 15 years.
SRA issues warnings over conduct of volume consumer claims
Law firms handling bulk financial product mis-selling claims have been warned about their conduct of cases by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Struck-off solicitor jailed for more immigration offences
A solicitor struck off after being convicted of immigration law offences while suspended has now been jailed for seven and a half years for fraudulent immigration advice.
Blog
Client account interest is not spare change
The proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme is being framed as a sensible, international, “tried and tested” way for the profession to help fund a justice system under strain.
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.
