Latest news
SRA slaps £114k fine on law firm for AML failings
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has fined a South-East London law firm £114,000 for anti-money laundering failures, one of the largest to date.
New BSB chair favours radical reform of legal regulation
The former chair of CILEX – who has previously called for a radical shift in the way lawyers are regulated – is to take over as chair of the Bar Standards Board in September.
Law Society “not assured” of SRA’s performance post-Axiom Ince
The Law Society has ratcheted up the pressure on the SRA over Axiom Ince by saying it is “not sufficiently assured” that the regulator is doing its job properly.
Government still eyeing client account interest to fund free legal advice
The Ministry of Justice is taking forward work on whether interest on lawyers’ client accounts could be diverted to fund legal services for people unable to afford advice.
Supreme Court to rule on car finance cases on Friday – at 4.35pm
The Supreme Court is to take the highly unusual step of issuing its heavily anticipated ruling in the car finance cases at 4.35pm this Friday.
Solicitor’s tenant jailed after being convicted of his murder
A cannabis addict who believed she was Princess Diana’s secret daughter was last week sentenced to indefinite detention after beating a solicitor to death.
Solicitor jailed for role in multi-million-pound investment fraud
An experienced solicitor has been jailed for his part in helping to run two bogus investment schemes – one involving litigation funding – that conned over 150 victims out of £6m.
Law firm that failed to spot it was acting for PEP fined £173k
A law firm that failed to identify that the beneficial owner of its client was a politically exposed person (PEP) has been fined £173,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Barristers’ social media activity causes spike in complaints to BSB
Complaints about contentious social media posts by barristers have fuelled a jump of a third in reports to the Bar Standards Board, cases described as “inherently complex”.
Division between justice and health “cannot stand”
The traditional division between justice and health is “damaging and confusing and cannot be allowed to stand”, leading legal and medical academics have argued.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
