Latest news
Tribunal refuses to allow return to practice for suspended solicitor
A solicitor suspended from practice almost a decade ago has been refused re-entry to the profession due to doubts about whether he is ready for it.
Ukraine crisis exposes law firms “going too far” in clients’ interests
Some law firms have gone too far in pursuing their clients’ interests, but the need for solicitors to act in the public interest as well is becoming more important, a debate on the impact of the Ukraine crisis heard.
Bott urges solicitors to put all defendants on notice of equitable lien
Litigators should now put defendants on notice at the start of any matter that they will enforce an equitable lien if necessary, the senior partner of Bott & Co has advised.
Suspension for prosecutor who accessed files about ex-wife’s partner
A former senior Crown prosecutor who was convicted of unlawfully accessing files relating to convictions of his ex-wife’s partner has been suspended from practice.
Government puts focus on SRA over solicitors handling SLAPPs
Addressing so-called SLAPPs is “a behavioural issue requiring regulatory interventions” against lawyers as much as using legislation, the government has said.
Solicitor intercepted complaint about her work sent to firm’s COLP
A solicitor who intercepted a complaint about her sent to her firm’s compliance officer for legal practice, and then replied from his email address, has been struck off.
Judge condemns “clearest breach” of witness statement rules
A High Court judge has condemned the “clearest case of failure to comply” with the new practice direction on witness statements that he had seen since it came into force last April.
Minster targets “lazy” solicitors in push to expand services
Minster Law, the law firm owned by insurance giant BHL, has outlined plans to expand its offering for both road traffic claims and other insurance-backed legal services.
Call for “robust plan” to tackle lawyer incompetence in high-risk areas
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has called for a “robust plan” to tackle incompetence by lawyers in “high-risk areas”, such as immigration and criminal advocacy.
“Mmm, I like what I see” – solicitor made sexual comments to interviewee
A male law firm owner has been fined for saying “mmm, I like what I see” to a young woman applying for a paralegal position and telling her he only employed “beautiful women”.
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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