Latest news
Client biases “help explain” number of BAME solicitors in SRA’s sights
Bias among those who make complaints and the types of firms BAME solicitors work for might explain why they are overrepresented in disciplinary activity, researchers have suggested.
Solicitor misled client and sent SRA faked documents
A solicitor who misled his client about the progress of her employment claim and then sent the Solicitors Regulation Authority fabricated documents to back up his position has been struck off.
Litigation funder reveals 635% return on £4.8m investment
A litigation funder has reported a 635% return on one investment, while the leading insolvency litigation funder says it is coming out of a Covid-related slump despite a £4m annual loss.
Solicitor struck off for deception over money that was never missing
A solicitor who complained to his bank about a missing transfer of £189,000 has been struck off because the money was never there and he faked various documents to back up his case.
Chambers offered to “carry me up stairs” to pupillage interview
A barrister with a spinal cord injury has described how a set of chambers, despite being told in advance that he was disabled, offered to carry him up the stairs to a pupillage interview.
Law centre volunteer “waived privilege” in advancing claim
A law centre volunteer waived privilege to legal advice he received from a Citizens’ Advice Bureau that made it clear his race discrimination claim had “very poor prospects”.
Solicitor successfully appeals rebuke issued by SRA
A solicitor has had a rare success in successfully appealing a rebuke issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which had found him vicariously responsible for errors by his bookkeepers.
Around 60% of non-practising solicitors apply to stay on roll
Around 60% of non-practising solicitors have paid £20 to remain on the roll for the next year after the first exercise to update it since 2014.
Legal advice “can improve your health”, study suggests
Clients who obtained legal advice at their GPs’ surgeries have reported “a range of positive outcomes, including on their mental and physical health” as well as their finances.
Ex-One Legal staff given pay award over redundancy without notice
Sixty-four former employees of One Legal – the ABS that owned two criminal law firms – have been granted full protective awards because they were made redundant without notice.
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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