Compliance & Regulation
Hefty AML fine for firm that facilitated vendor fraud
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has handed out three more hefty fines for anti-money laundering failures, one for a firm that facilitated a vendor fraud as a result.
Solicitor jailed after falling for scam loses appeal against sentence
The former senior partner of a Norfolk law firm, jailed for four years for fraud, has failed in his appeal against sentence, with the court saying it was, if anything, “lenient”.
High Court rejects immigration solicitor’s “meritless” strike-off appeal
An immigration solicitor secretly recorded by the BBC advising how to obtain “fraudulent” evidence for a visa application has failed in his appeal against being struck off.
SRA warns solicitors over ‘deepfake’ clients and vendor fraud
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned lawyers who rely on video calls to identify clients of the risks posed by ‘deepfake’ technology and also of rising vendor fraud.
SDT clears Dentons of anti-money laundering rule breaches
Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, was yesterday cleared by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal over alleged breaches of anti-money laundering rules.
Motor trade legal advice service launches CIC to handle litigation
An unregulated legal advice service for the motor trade has created a community interest company (CIC) so that it can provide litigation services as well.
SRA tells employers what they cannot ask in-house lawyers to do
Draft guidance for employers of in-house solicitors, which aims to establish a mutual understanding of what lawyers can and cannot do, has been published by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Post Office victim and SRA chief urge lawyers to call out colleagues
Both a sub-postmaster victim of the Post Office scandal and the chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority have urged lawyers to call out colleagues’ improper behaviour.
SRA investigates after-the-event insurance fall-out from SSB collapse
The SRA is investigating why after-the-event insurers have not paid out on policies arranged by the collapsed SSB Group and whether it shows a wider problem with ATE.
Firms reported for oppressive “pre-emptive” NDAs imposed on actors
Law firms at the heart of forcing oppressive non-disclosure agreements on actors have been reported to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, it emerged yesterday.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
