Latest news
Axiom fund claims another victim as solicitor is struck off with millions of pounds missing
A solicitor has been struck off after letting his firm be run by non-lawyers who then took more than £8m in funds supplied by the controversial Axiom Legal Financing Fund. He is the fifth solicitor to be struck off because of involvement with the Axiom fund.
Alcoholic solicitor struck off for client money misuse
A solicitor who used client money for her own benefit while she was suffering from alcoholism has been struck off. The medical evidence meant that the Solicitors Regulation Authority, prosecuting, dropped its allegations of dishonesty against her.
Chambers urged to shape up on diversity as discrimination claims rise
Chambers are seeing more grievances over discriminatory treatment by both employees and members, according to solicitors who advise them on dealing with their equality and diversity obligations. They said diversity presents a “particular challenge to chambers largely as a result of their unique business structure.
Dentons employs AI to boost Brexit advice
Global firm Dentons has made its play to be a key adviser to companies on the impact of Brexit by developing a cognitive search engine tool that can be used for Brexit-related contract reviews. It is also working on a software application that automatically creates a ‘Brexit action plan’ for clients.
COFA sanctioned after client account was used as banking facility
A practice manager who is his firm’s compliance officer for finance and administration has been rebuked and fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for letting his firm’s client account be used as a banking facility among other offences.
Former partner loses age discrimination appeal over firm restructure
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has dismissed an appeal against a decision that a top-100 regional law firm was not guilty of age discrimination against one of its partners, after he was not offered a new partnership when it restructured.
High Court overturns SDT decision to throw out “badly prepared” case against solicitors
The High Court has overturned an unusual decision by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) to strike out for abuse of process the prosecution of five solicitors because the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) had failed to put forward a “coherent or manageable case to answer”.
Lawyer fined for dealing with clients behind firm’s back
A legal executive who acted for clients without telling her employer, and paid client money into her own bank account, has been fined £2,000 and restrictions placed on her practice now that she has qualified as a solicitor.
Price index “will bring transparency” to legal fees
A lawyer-matching platform has answered the growing clamour for charging transparency with a price index based on its database of 15,000 quotes, broken down into detailed categories of commercial work. The move should give clients an idea of average fees at market rates.
Barrister cops double suspension after immigration conviction
A barrister who was convicted last year of practising as an immigration adviser while his registration was suspended, has now been suspended from the Bar as well. Meanwhile, four unqualified immigration advisers have been convicted of offering services without being registered by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.
Blog
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
