Private Client
“Panicked” solicitor who backdated document struck off
A solicitor who backdated a document and sent a misleading email to a client has been struck off, despite evidence he was experiencing significant mental health difficulties at the time.
Major PE-backed law firms unveil latest acquisitions
Two fast-growing private equity-backed law firms in the North-West have unveiled acquisitions to boost their Court of Protection and personal injury practices respectively.
Solicitor cleared of misleading client and firm over LPAs
A solicitor accused of misleading her client and her firm about delays in registering lasting powers of attorney has been cleared, with her firm placing too much on her shoulders.
Solicitor who billed clients for work he had not done struck off
A private client lawyer who billed clients for work he had not done has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Prison sentence for former executor who refused law firm’s requests
The High Court has imposed a suspended prison sentence on a former executor who failed to comply with court orders by not providing information to a law firm.
International wealth management firm to launch ABS
A wealth management and tax advice firm is to launch an alternative business structure later this year to create a “fully joined-up advisory platform” for its globally mobile clients.
More applications for probate being made without lawyers
Private client law firms could see client numbers fall as the court digitisation programme is helping more people submit probate applications themselves.
PE-backed firm sees capping billable hours as key to growth
A law firm that limits its solicitors to 25 billable hours a week has seen annual growth of 40% over the last two years.
No strike-off for solicitor’s “spontaneous dishonesty”
A solicitor who signed a deed as a witness to a signature when she had not actually been present has escaped being struck off.
Search fund buys conveyancing and private client law firm
An investor-backed search fund has acquired a conveyancing and private client law firm as the start of a ‘buy and build’ strategy aimed particularly at SME practices with succession issues.
Blog
Not everything can be a competition issue – a new dawn for consumer redress
Last month, the Law Commission launched a new project to “consider the potential introduction of a consumer class actions regime” in England and Wales.
Modern search is about ‘knowledge’ retrieval
Search has long been understood as data retrieval – the ability to call back information and check a box on finding something. Legal professionals today need more of a 360-degree view on a matter.
Lessons from Sir Keir Starmer for SRA chief
The proposed 29%, or £25m, increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budget announced last week should really come as no great surprise.
