Latest news
Solicitors condemn HMRC plans for “deemed waiver” of privilege
Solicitors have condemned plans by HMRC to introduce a “deemed waiver” of privilege where tax avoidance scheme are marketed as being supported by a legal opinion.
Private equity takes stake in remote-working commercial law firm
A fast-growing commercial law firm whose lawyers work remotely has become the latest to take private equity backing, with LDC buying a large minority stake.
Financial Reporting Council director to take helm at SRA
The executive director of supervision at the Financial Reporting Council has today been named as the new chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Bank sues law firm for deluge of “poor-quality” mis-selling claims
A law firm that specialises in financial mis-selling is facing a novel claim of causing loss by unlawful means through deluging a bank with allegedly poor-quality cases.
Legal Services Board at heart of regulatory failings, says BSB chief
The structure of regulation established by the Legal Services Act 2007 “does not work well”, the outgoing chair of the Bar Standards Board declared last night.
Suspended jail sentence for solicitor over fake pothole claims
A solicitor has been handed a suspended prison sentence for making false claims of damage to his car from potholes.
Solicitors and insurers set to agree definition of ‘unbundled’ services
Work to agree a definition of unbundled legal services with professional indemnity insurers is close to completion as part of efforts to make unbundling easier for solicitors.
Sexual misconduct cases “lead to rise in SDT anonymity requests”
The increasing number of sexual misconduct cases being handled by the SRA and SDT is fuelling a rise in anonymity requests, regulatory lawyers have said.
London arm of US firm rebuked for breaching Russia sanction rules
The London office of a US law firm has been rebuked for breaching the conditions of a Treasury licence to act for sanctioned Russian clients.
Only third of pupils would “definitely recommend” Bar as career
The proportion of pupil barristers who would “definitely recommend” the Bar as a career has fallen by 10 percentage points in a year to less than a third.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
