Compliance & Regulation
LSB puts SRA Compensation Fund fee increases on hold
Approval of the SRA’s application for the level of Compensation Fund contributions – which are set to soar this year – has been delayed for the first time ever, Legal Futures can report.
Fine for solicitor who acted on both sides of property deal
A partner who acted for both sides of a property transaction where there was a conflict of interest has been fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Tribunal criticises BSB for prosecuting “sleeping” barrister
A disciplinary tribunal has sharply criticised the Bar Standards Board for how it approached the prosecution of a barrister who struggled to stay awake during an inquest.
Police seek struck-off ‘dine and dash’ solicitor for skipping bail
Police want to speak to a solicitor struck off earlier this year over convictions for two ‘dine and dash’ incidents after she failed to answer bail over more allegations.
SRA closes down four law firms in two days
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has closed down four law firms this week, two of which were both consumer claim practices in Liverpool.
Vexatious ex-solicitor cannot start litigating again, High Court says
The High Court has refused to allow a struck-off solicitor to reopen vexatious litigation against the Law Society, Bar Council, senior judges, lawyers and many others.
Law firms “cheating” clients out of interest on their money
Law firms are could have made as much as £1.3bn in interest on client money in 2022/23, it has been claimed amid scrutiny of what they pass on to clients.
Solicitor struck off after clients paid fees into personal bank account
A solicitor who asked clients at two different firms to pay fees into his personal bank account because he was in financial difficulties has been struck off.
EDI initiatives not “shifting the law’s systemic inequalities”
There are multiple factors behind the failure of equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives to “shift the systemic inequalities that are entrenched” across the legal profession.
Proportion of women “ultimately decreases” in journey to judiciary
The proportion of women lawyers “fluctuates but ultimately decreases” on the pipeline from qualifying to becoming judges, a report for the Legal Services Board has found.
Blog
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
