Latest news
Solicitor who forged loan documents is struck off
A solicitor who forged documents for a £30,000 loan, secured against his matrimonial home during an “acrimonious” divorce, has been struck off, even though the events did not relate to his practice.
High Court refuses to let law firm take place of deceased claimant
A High Court judge has rejected an application by a law firm to substitute itself for a deceased claimant, on the grounds that it would be a form of champerty.
Stronger rules on ongoing competence move step closer
The current regulatory approach to lawyers’ ongoing competence needs to change, the Legal Services Board has concluded, with assessments such as spot checks likely to be part of the reform.
More NHS claims settling without proceedings as costs payouts fall
The proportion of clinical negligence claims resolved without formal proceedings has reached a record high amid greater co-operation between parties, NHS Resolution has revealed.
Solicitor fined for signing divorce client up to unlawful DBA
A solicitor who entered into a damages-based agreement with a family law client and pursued her for costs under it has been fined £10,000 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Only 10% of new BPTC graduates found pupillage due to Covid
Only 10% of students who successfully completed the Bar professional training course last year had started a pupillage by the end of March 2021, according to new figures.
CMC boss banned for encouraging bogus holiday sickness cases
The boss of a claims management company that encouraged people to bring bogus holiday sickness cases has been disqualified as a director for five years.
No let-up: impact of Covid on Legal Ombudsman laid bare
Covid did not significantly reduce the number of dissatisfied clients contacting the Legal Ombudsman but it hit the organisation’s ability to deal with them, according to figures out today.
Partner and firm fined for not recognising ‘own interest’ conflict
A partner and law firm failed to spot a restrictive covenant on a purchase and then did not tell its developer client, continuing instead to act for him when litigation over it ensued.
Lammy hits out at “absolute scandal” of judicial diversity
It is an “absolute scandal” that just 1% of judges are Black, the shadow Lord Chancellor has declared in the wake of figures that showed a decline in the number of solicitors on the bench too.
Blog
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
