Latest news
Solicitor fails to overturn SDT finding over misuse of client money
A solicitor struck off for using client money to prop up his firm has failed in his appeal to the High Court – and also in his effort to remain anonymous.
OPRC consults on inclusion framework and pre-action model
The Online Procedure Rule Committee has launched its first public consultation, on an inclusion framework and pre-action model that would set standards for digital services.
Solicitor failed to do proper checks on PEP and misused client account
A solicitor who failed to undertake proper AML checks on a client who was a politically exposed person and also allowed him to use his firm’s client as a banking facility, has been fined.
Rapist’s conviction not unsafe due to his advocate’s later strike-off
A man convicted of rape has lost an appeal against conviction that was based partly on the fact that his solicitor was facing disciplinary action by the SRA at the time.
Firms missing out with lawyers “reluctant to cross-sell”
Cross-selling is the biggest missed opportunity to boost law firm profits, according to research that says lawyers fear looking too pushy.
Regulators told how to implement new economic crime duty
The LSB has made a series of relatively minor changes to its new statutory guidance on how legal regulators should implement the new regulatory objective to tackle economic crime.
Partner struck off after sticking “head in the sand” over bill
A partner whose “head in the sand” approach meant a case spiralled out of control after he failed to serve points of dispute on a bill of costs in time has been struck off.
SRA plans for law firm complaints handling risk “overregulation”
Solicitors Regulation Authority plans for new rules on how law firms handle complaints could lead to “overregulation”, the Law Society has warned.
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.
Blog
Strong AML controls are meaningless with incomplete data
One expectation as the FCA takes control of anti-money laundering oversight is a move towards more supervision rather than simply writing new rules.
Navigating the legal AI productivity-profitability paradox
Firms are achieving efficiencies through AI, especially in the practice of law. Yet many are struggling to see that reflected in their financial outcomes
Regulation, growth and access to justice: why legal services need a reset
Well-intentioned consumer protections embedded in the regulation of legal services increasingly act as barriers to innovation, competition and access to justice.
