Latest news
Indemnity insurance reforms “will damage small firms”
Indemnity insurance reforms put forward by the Solicitors Regulation Authority last month will damage the small firms the regulator is trying to help, a specialist law firm has warned. Legal Risk LLP attacked SRA plans aimed at reducing the burden of indemnity insurance.
Grenfell Tower council’s legal budget tops £5m
The local authority budget for specialist legal advice and IT connected with the criminal investigation and public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire has been increased to £5m. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea approved the new figure at a raucous council meeting. Most will go to law firm DWF LLP.
Partner struck off for dishonesty after concealing payments to himself
A partner has been struck off for transferring over £40,000 to his own bank account while claiming it was used to pay a costs draftsman and a marketing company. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal said Mohammed Asif Din “knew the money was being paid to him”.
Court of Protection solicitor convicted of neglect following elderly mother’s death
An associate in a regional law firm’s Court of Protection team has been convicted of the wilful neglect of her own elderly mother, who died in squalor despite the solicitor having power of attorney to act on her behalf.
Third of criminal law barristers consider leaving jobs as CBA launches direct action
The depth of despondency among criminal law barristers has been revealed in a survey as direct action by the Criminal Bar Association began on Easter Day. A survey of over 4,000 barristers found that over a third of criminal barristers were dissatisfied with their careers and considering alternatives or planning to leave.
Tribunal lifts restrictions on solicitor who “carved out new area of expertise”
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has removed the conditions on the practising certificate of a solicitor fined for allowing improper payments to be made out of client account. It said he had shown “insight and remorse” and “carved out a new area of expertise in which his previous misconduct was unlikely to be repeated”.
“Insane” to bar solicitors from working for unregulated firms, online pioneer says
An online legal services pioneer has described the current rules preventing solicitors from practising at unregulated firms as “insane”. Former solicitor Tessa Shepperson backed plans by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to change the rules – a move strongly resisted by the Law Society.
Office manager’s niece entitled to maternity pay, says judge
A young woman who worked for a Derbyshire sole practitioner was an employee and entitled to maternity pay, the First Tier Tribunal has held. Rebecca Scothern was the niece of Karen Burley, office manager at Paul Brook Solicitors in Chesterfield.
Non-lawyers disciplined for disclosure failures during Cobbetts collapse
Tribunal judgments in the cases of two non-lawyers involved in the finances of defunct law firm Cobbetts LLP have been published, marking the latest chapter in the disciplinary aftermath of the failure. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal approved agreed outcomes relating to allegations against the firm’s former financial director and partnership tax accountant.
Jailed solicitor told to repay an extra £500,000 of criminal proceeds or face more prison time
A solicitor who was jailed last year for stealing millions from her clients and the Church of England has seen the amount she has to pay back increased by £500,000 – to nearly £2.5m – or face a further eight years in prison. The Court of Appeal said a circuit judge wrong to reduce the value of various ‘tainted’ gifts she had given to her family from the stolen money.
Blog
Five golden links for a caring Christmas and New Year
This time of year always sharpens thoughts about how we look after and support elderly clients and those, elderly or otherwise, who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.
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.
