Latest news
High Court clears law firms over “fraudulent” property transfers
The High Court has thrown out a claim that two law firms and three solicitors were responsible for two allegedly fraudulent transfers of a property.
Solicitor fined £8,000 for second drink-driving conviction
A solicitor with a previous conviction for drink-driving has been fined £8,000 after she was caught again, having failed to learn from her first offence, a disciplinary tribunal decided.
PI solicitors who breached referral fee ban tried to blame SRA
Two personal injury lawyers who tried to blame “unhelpful” ethics guidance from the Solicitors Regulation Authority for paying banned referral fees have been fined by a tribunal.
Solicitor convicted of sending woman abusive Facebook messages
A junior solicitor who was convicted after sending a woman he briefly dated a series of abusive Facebook messages has had his sentence reduced but now faces regulatory action too.
Small firm solicitors “highly stressed but enjoying their jobs”
A majority of solicitors at small and medium-sized firms have high stress levels and most believe it is a “major issue” for the profession, a survey has found.
CLC set to back third-party managed accounts
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers is proposing to join the Solicitors Regulation Authority in allowing the lawyers it regulates to use third-party managed accounts.
Law firm “can recoup outlay” from apprentice who quit early
A law firm is entitled to recoup the money it spent training an apprentice who broke an agreement to stay at the firm for a year after completing his course, an employment tribunal has ruled.
Solicitor convicted over cannabis farm suspended from practice
A solicitor has been suspended from practice after being convicted of allowing a small cannabis farm to grow in her house. A tribunal said maintaining the profession’s reputation required it.
Paralegal jailed for swindling money from clients’ estates
A paralegal who stole £70,000 from people’s estates to splash out on designer clothes and handbags has been jailed for more than three years. She posed as beneficiaries of two wills.
Firms “putting profit ahead of lawyers’ mental health”
The cultures of some law firms and other legal workplaces mean that well-being is “often not a concern” while they chase increased profits, researchers have found.
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.
