Latest news
‘List of defaulting solicitors’ will be scrapped, LSB confirms
Plans by the Bar Standards Board to scrap its ‘list of defaulting solicitors’ have been approved by the Legal Services Board. Richard Moriarty, chief executive of the LSB, said the list could undermine the independence of the BSB.
Solicitor who fled country after SRA began investigation struck off
A solicitor who absconded the day after the Solicitors Regulation Authority began investigating his firm has been struck off in his absence for overbilling and for taking money from client accounts. One of his partners said his behaviour changed once the investigation started.
Jail for ‘professional’ McKenzie Friend who defrauded clients of thousands of pounds
A ‘professional’ McKenzie Friend who targeted people unable to claim legal aid and then defrauded them of thousands of pounds has been jailed for three years. He offered cheap legal services to people involved in cases involving their children or grandchildren.
PC fee does not represent value for money, solicitors tell Law Society
The vast majority of solicitors who responded to a Law Society survey on the practising certificate fee said they thought it did not represent value for money. Many said the Law Society should get a bigger share and the Solicitors Regulation Authority a smaller one.
Law Society told to disclose letters about ‘Harry Potter solicitor’
The Law Society has been told by its freedom of information adjudicator to disclose letters and reports involving the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the charity run by Alan Blacker, the solicitor also known as Lord Harley, Legal Futures understands.
Kidwells launches accountancy joint venture – to add to its nine other branded businesses
An innovative Hereford-based alternative business structure has set up a joint venture with a Welsh accountancy firm, joining nine other branded businesses in the Kidwell Group, ranging from a barristers’ chambers to a guest house.
BSB seeks power to fine barristers cleared by disciplinary tribunals
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is seeking the power to impose fines of up to £1,000 on barristers cleared by disciplinary tribunals, it has emerged. It also wants greater scope to appeal to the High Court.
NewLaw owner acquires firm’s ABS joint venture partner
The listed company that owns NewLaw Solicitors is to acquire a fleet accident management group that itself has a joint venture alternative business structure with NewLaw. Redde has agreed to acquire the FMG group of companies for approximately £43.2m.
Former lawyers convicted of providing illegal immigration advice
A former solicitor and barrister have both been convicted and sentenced by magistrates for the providing unregulated immigration advice and services. They are the latest in a string of convictions for this offence.
Barrister who took BSB to judicial review hopes for “fair hearing” of forgery claims
Damian McCarthy, a barrister whose disbarment was overturned by the Court of Appeal, has said he is hoping for a “fair hearing” from a new Bar disciplinary tribunal. The Bar Standards Board said it remained of the view that he had acted dishonestly.
Blog
Beyond PCP: Can regulators and lawyers work better together next time?
Nearly a decade after the Financial Conduct Authority began investigating the car finance industry, the story of the PCP commission scandal is still unfinished.
Accountability has to live within governance, not with one person
The assumption has long been that a COLP or COFA is personally exposed to the consequences of anti-money laundering breaches.
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.
