Latest news
Belsner faces £130k costs payment but Checkmylegalfees “has a future”
The Court of Appeal has signalled the possibility of a non-party costs order in the Belsner case after ordering the claimant to make an interim costs payment of £130,000.
High Court rejects struck-off solicitor’s bid to return to roll
The High Court has rejected an appeal from a struck-off solicitor whose application to be restored to the roll was refused by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal earlier this year.
Ince sells loss-making corporate adviser seven months after buying it
The Ince Group is to sell the corporate adviser and stockbroker it only bought in April for a £7m loss as it seeks to focus on its core legal business.
KPMG adds £5m payout to £3m fine over conduct of Quindell audit
Big Four accountant KPMG has paid £5m to settle a claim brought by what used to be called Quindell over its audit of the one-time alternative business structure.
Identity of those instructing solicitors not protected by litigation privilege
There is no general rule that the identity of those instructing solicitors on behalf of a corporate client is protected by litigation privilege, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
“Honorable” solicitor and practice manager fined for misusing legal aid cash
A law firm owner and his practice manager have both been fined for mismanaging legal aid funds, although a tribunal found they were “honourably motivated”.
Solicitors “coercing” hospital patients into signing legal papers
Solicitors have been accused of visiting vulnerable patients in hospital wards in Leeds and “coercing” them into signing legal documents.
SRA bid for maximum £805,000 fine for solicitors “excessive and unjustified”
SRA plans to double the upper limit on fines for law firms to 5% of turnover and to £805,000 for individuals are “excessive and unjustified”, the Law Society has argued.
Complaints to SRA can constitute acts of stalking, Court of Appeal rules
Complaints to a lawyer’s employer and professional regulator can amount to acts of stalking, the Court of Appeal has ruled in a case where a senior government lawyer was targeted.
Solicitor’s “blind spot” led to vulnerable client being defrauded
A very experienced solicitor who showed a “complete blind spot” with regard to his obligations to ‘know your client’ and recognise the risks of conveyancing fraud has been suspended for a year.
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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