Latest news
SDT “right to strike off” solicitor involved in fraudulent PI claim
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal was right to strike off a solicitor who took part in a fraudulent personal injury claim, even though he was not the instigator, the High Court has ruled.
“Vulnerable” legal aid solicitors feel “taken advantage of”
Legal aid solicitors feel they have been “neglected the most and taken advantage of” in the years following the LASPO cuts, according to an academic study.
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.
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.
