Latest news
Tribunal clears solicitors over volume litigation misconduct
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed allegations of misconduct against two high-profile solicitors over their handling of volume financial mis-selling claims.
Employment law silks clash over impact of BSB equality duty
Two leading employment law silks have clashed over the new, proactive equality duty proposed by the Bar Standards Board, disagreeing on how much of an impact it will have on barristers.
Transatlanctic tie-up leads way in latest M&A activity
Herbert Smith Freehills has announced a “transformational” merger with a US firm, while HF has bought a construction practice, among recent M&A deals.
Immigration firm “advised beyond its competence”
A tribunal has rejected an appeal from an immigration adviser and firm whose registration was cancelled for breaches of the OISC code that were “as extensive as they were serious”.
Disabled paralegal’s £41k damages over unfair law firm dismissal
A paralegal has been awarded £41,000 in damages against a law firm that unfairly dismissed and discriminated against her because she could not work full-time due to disability.
Client account interest helps small firms deal with margin pressure
Pressure on margins has become more acute for many SME law firms over the past year but optimism about the future remains high, according to new research.
Solicitor left abandoned law firm in “chaotic state”
A solicitor who “abandoned” his law firm, leaving his office “in a chaotic state” with piles of letters thrown away as a fire hazard by neighbouring tenant, has been struck off.
Law firm not negligent in advice to settle £2m claims
A law firm was not negligent in advice to settle £2m of claims brought by a businessman’s trustee in bankruptcy against his wife and daughter, the High Court has ruled.
Law firm acquired by private equity aims to double in size in a year
The latest law firm to be bought by private equity has ambitions to more than double in size in just a year, its chief executive has revealed.
Law firms tell SRA: we want to keep client account
A poll of law firms has found almost complete opposition to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s idea of preventing them from holding client money.
Blog
The power of participation for trainees and apprentices
It’s important as a trainee or an apprentice to get involved in the life of your firm – even under the pressure of discovering how to navigate professional life and now the demands of the SQE.
Is it time to change how law firms view compliance?
Although COFAs often hold senior positions and play an essential role in a firm’s financial and regulatory integrity, the perception of the compliance function itself is still evolving.
From templates to culture change: Lessons from the SRA on source of funds
The SRA’s new thematic review into source of funds and wealth reveals both progress and persistent blind spots, with source-of-funds checks too often thought of as a procedural hurdle.
