Latest news
Appeal court surprised by solicitors’ partnership agreed “in the pub”
The Court of Appeal has upheld a High Court decision against one solicitor in favour of her former partner, after expressing surprise that the pair had no more than a verbal agreement made in the pub over a drink.
Firm shut down after solicitor who forged cheques as trainee is struck off
The Solicitors Regulation Authority last week shut down a north-west London law firm shortly after an accountant who went on to train as a solicitor at the firm was struck off for preparing fraudulent cheques and forging partners’ signatures.
Hat-trick of appeal wins for East London firm as it overturns wasted costs order
A small East London law firm has scored a hat-trick of successful appeals against sanctions after overturning a wasted costs order at the Employment Appeal Tribunal, following challenges to the Legal Ombudsman and Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Barrister who handled client money banned from public access work
Another barrister has fallen foul of the rules on public access, this time by handling client money, leading to a six-month ban from handling such cases and a £1,000 fine for then failing to co-operate with the Legal Ombudsman and Bar Standards Board.
Quayle u-turn leaves CILEx Regulation searching for new chair
CILEx Regulation – the regulatory arm of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives – is searching for a new chairman after the man who was due to take over last week decided against doing so. In February, CILEx announced that Quinton Quayle, a former British ambassador to Thailand, had been appointed.
Gateley partners will be able to sell some shares during lock-in period
Partners in newly listed law firm Gateley will be able to sell 10% of their shares each year from next June as part of their five-year lock-in, it has emerged. The admission document that Gateley published as trading began in its shares this week revealed a plethora of detail about its operation.
Michael Jackson’s lawyer loses High Court battle over Dewey & LeBoeuf loan
An American celebrity attorney who acted for Michael Jackson has lost a High Court battle with Barclays Bank over a $540,000 loan relating to his time as partner in failed US firm Dewey & LeBoeuf.
There is a “huge future” for high street firms, new SPG chairman says
There is a “huge future” for high street law firms, but the way ahead will be for practices to become more specialised, the new chairman of the Sole Practitioners Group (SPG) has said.
Dyson: There’s nothing left to cut at the Ministry of Justice
The Master of the Rolls has suggested that there is nothing left to cut at the Ministry of Justice in the wake of last week’s announcement that its budget is to be reduced by a further £250m.
Only one solicitor sent to SDT over referral fee ban as large CMCs thrive
Only one solicitor has been sent to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for breaching the ban on referral fees in personal injury cases, it has emerged. Meawhile, the head of claims management regulation said the “biggest CMCs are making more and more money”.
Blog
Awaab’s Law phase 2: New hazards council tenants can now claim for
The conversation on housing disrepair is moving beyond damp and mould alone. With the rollout of phase 2 of Awaab’s Law, the scope of issues covered is expanding significantly,
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.
