Latest news
“Actually, you passed” – 175 SQE candidates let down by marking error
All 6,626 candidates who took the SQE1 in January have had their results reissued after marking errors meant 175 who thought they had failed actually passed.
Lawyer cleared of contempt over bogus whiplash claim
The senior partner of a law firm who acted on a bogus whiplash claim arising from an accident in which he was also injured has been cleared of contempt of court.
Compulsory small claims mediation to go live next month
Mediation will become mandatory in some money disputes worth less than £10,000 filed from 22 May, where brought on paper or through HMCTS’s traditional online systems.
Barrister jailed for drug offences fails in appeal against sentence
The Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal against the 14-month jail sentence imposed on a barrister who obtained drugs from two men he was representing.
£105k for two days a week: SRA begins search for new chair
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has begun the search for a new chair for its board, who will be paid £105,000 a year for around two days a week.
Legal Services Board to probe SRA over SSB Group collapse
The Legal Services Board is to probe the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s actions in the lead-up to the collapse of SSB Group, it has announced.
Leading law firm obtained order for client’s divorce “in error”
One of the country’s highest-profile family law firms obtained a final order of divorce for a client in error without her instructions or authority, it has emerged.
SDT refuses to overturn ban on ex-law firm employee over missing cash
A man whose parents granted a charge over their house to repay the £90,000 misappropriated from his law firm employer has failed to overturn a ban on working in the profession.
Report calls for major overhaul of BSB enforcement processes
The Bar Standards Board has the right approach to dealing with complaints about barristers’ conduct but there are “a large number of areas” for improvement, a major review has concluded.
Campaigners call on regulator to drop Proudman prosecution
A group of campaigners have called on the BSB to drop its prosecution of high-profile and self-declared feminist barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman over criticisms she made of a judge.
Blog
Regulate sole practices on evidence, not turnover
For a sole practice, the SRA’s plan that I cannot hold a compliance role if my firm has more than £600,000 of turnover is not a measure of risk. It is a ceiling on growth.
Is Google becoming pay-to-play for law firms?
For years, law firms have been told that SEO is the long-term alternative to paying for every click. That principle hasn’t disappeared but search results have changed significantly.
Material information and the case for intelligent client onboarding
Upfront information means work traditionally undertaken after an offer is accepted will need to happen earlier. And that fundamentally changes the role of client onboarding.
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