Latest news
Barrister with assault conviction fined for drink driving
A barrister who was suspended for four months in 2020 following an assault conviction, has been fined £5,500 by a Bar disciplinary tribunal for drink driving.
SRA sanctions another solicitor “unaware” of being partner at firm
A lawyer who claimed she was unaware that she was a law firm’s partner has been sanctioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), two years after another partner said the same.
No cab-rank rule breach – yet – for barrister signatories of eco-resolution
The BSB will not take action against barristers who have committed not to prosecute climate protestors or work for fossil fuel companies – at least until they actually refuse instructions.
SRA rejects Law Society call to levy profession for SIF funds
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has resisted pressure from the Law Society to impose a levy on the profession “as soon as possible” to raise funds for the Solicitors Indemnity Fund.
Disciplinary tribunal condemns Blavo’s “industrial” dishonesty
The dishonesty of John Blavo, whose legal aid firm made £22m of fraudulent claims on public funds, was “committed on an industrial scale”, a tribunal has said.
Solicitor rebuked for multiple rule failures caused in part by Covid
A solicitor who admitted to a “serious breach” of the accounts rules – in part due to the impact of Covid – has escaped with a rebuke from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Exclusive: Lawfront eyes five more acquisitions to build £100m group
Private equity firm Blixt Group is looking at up to five more acquisitions to reach its target of building a £100m national legal services business, its chief executive has revealed.
Profession paying “lip service” to diversity, LSB told
The legal profession pays only “lip service” to diversity and “there is a lack of action or appetite to pursue meaningful change”, a report for the Legal Services Board has suggested.
Newspaper pays top KC “substantial damages” for libel
The Times has apologised to a leading KC and paid her “substantial damages” for alleging that she had wrongly used the cab-rank rule to justify acting in a controversial Cayman Islands case.
SDT lifts restrictions on solicitor who showed “impressive insight”
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has removed conditions on the practising certificate of a former law firm partner who now works remotely from Italy as a consultant.
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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