Latest news
Trade union solicitor and Corbyn loyalist named Shadow Lord Chancellor
A former employment solicitor at trade union firm Thompsons who was only elected as an MP last year was yesterday named the Shadow Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn replaced most of this shadow cabinet after the unprecedented string of resignations.
Listed legal businesses with property and PI focus hit by stock market turmoil
The stock market falls on the back of the EU Referendum has hit an ABS-owning property company the most, as well AIM-listed legal businesses with a personal injury (PI) element, a Legal Futures analysis has shown. The PI hit looks surprising given that the current state of political uncertainty is likely to be good news for the claimant market.
Labour’s legal leaders join Shadow Cabinet rebellion
Yesterday’s Shadow Cabinet rebellion has included the resignation of the two top legal figures in the Labour Party – Shadow Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer and Shadow Attorney General Karl Turner. Lord Falconer, well known as a close ally of Tony Blair, gave no statement as to why he resigned, but Mr Turner – MP for Hull East – published on Twitter the letter he sent to leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Judge caps Law Society’s “disproportionate” £640k costs in defending competition claim
The Law Society’s budgeted costs of £637,000 to defend the competition law action brought over its Conveyancing Quality Scheme are disproportionate and should be capped at nearly half that amount, the president of the Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled. The society has instructed City giant Norton Rose Fulbright.
Bar Mutual ordered to reimburse barrister after withdrawing funding over panel firm dispute
The Bar’s professional indemnity insurer has been ordered to reimburse a barrister after it withdrew funding for him to defend disciplinary proceedings because he wanted to appoint a non-panel solicitor. The Financial Ombudsman Service found that Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund did not act reasonably.
Credit card companies to the rescue for consumers after CMCs fail to comply with LeO orders
People with complaints about claims management companies (CMCs) are more likely to receive a financial remedy from their credit card provider than the Legal Ombudsman, it has emerged. The most three most complained-about CMCs have since surrendered their authorisation, leaving questions about whether consumers actually receive the compensation ordered.
Supreme Court refuses to hear bid to reinstate dishonesty finding against solicitors
The Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal against a decision that cleared two solicitors of “dishonest assistance in a breach of trust”, in this case a mortgage fraud. In its decision, the Court of Appeal had warned that findings of dishonesty, especially against solicitors, should not be made without “the most careful consideration” of what they say in their defence.
Client cannot pass buck even though solicitor failed to file tax return, says tribunal
A client cannot blame the failure of solicitors to send a land transaction return to the taxman so as to avoid a fine for late filing, a tribunal has ruled. Andrew Oliver appealed against the penalty imposed on him for the failure to submit the return within the 30 days allowed. Instead it was submitted 252 days later.
Advertising watchdog backs law firm’s claim over success rate
The Advertising Standards Authority has rejected a complaint over the way a Devon law firm marketed its success in representing drivers. Patterson Law said on its website that 3,314 out of its last 3,436 clients at risk of a driving ban avoided disqualification or got a significantly reduced driving ban
SDT throws out wide-ranging allegations against solicitor
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed all charges made against a solicitor including alleged breaches of accounts rules and money laundering regulations, and failing to supervise properly a consultant who had been struck off the roll. It is unusual for charges to be thrown out wholesale.











