Latest news
PI solicitor struck off for “stupid” decision to forge client’s signature
An experienced personal injury solicitor who forged his client’s signature on two court documents to progress her case “acted stupidly” and had to be struck off, a tribunal has decided.
New instructions surge past pre-lockdown levels
Legal activity has bounced back to 130% of pre-Covid levels with conveyancing continuing to rise steadily and several other practice areas also buoyant, new figures have shown.
Government pledges post-Brexit qualifications recognition
The UK government will put in place a temporary system to recognise the professional qualifications of EU lawyers post 1 January 2021 if no agreement is reached before Brexit.
Solicitor who didn’t understand transactions suspended
A solicitor who did not understand the complex financial transactions he was acting on – which potentially had connections to Mexican drug cartels – has been suspended from practice.
Judge rejects challenges to £13k award for age discrimination solicitor
A judge has refused applications from both sides to reconsider his decision to award an experienced property solicitor damages of £13,200 for age discrimination by a law firm.
Lawtech start-up focused on security raises further £1m
A lawtech start-up specialising in identity and source of funds checks for conveyancers has attracted high-profile investors including the co-founders of Funding Circle in raising £1m.
Solicitor suspended for holiday sickness retainer failures
A law firm director has been suspended after failing to ensure that holiday sickness clients referred by introducers had instructed the firm or knew claims were being pursued on their behalf.
Former trainee doctor in contempt for online campaign against judge
A former trainee doctor has been found in contempt of court for repeatedly breaching injunctions imposed on him to stop using a website to harass a circuit judge.
Law Society warns firms of steep rise in insurance premiums
Law firms are facing a 30% increase in their professional indemnity insurance this year, and even more for those with bad claims histories, the Law Society has warned.
Ex-SDT chief urges ‘fitness to practise’ regime to help solicitors with mental health problems
The SRA needs to introduce a ‘fitness to practise’ regime as a better way to deal with young solicitors with mental health problems, the former chief executive of the SDT has told Legal Futures.
Blog
Beyond PCP: Can regulators and lawyers work better together next time?
Nearly a decade after the Financial Conduct Authority began investigating the car finance industry, the story of the PCP commission scandal is still unfinished.
Accountability has to live within governance, not with one person
The assumption has long been that a COLP or COFA is personally exposed to the consequences of anti-money laundering breaches.
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.
