Compliance & Regulation
ILCA: Law firms will look to hold money outside of client accounts
An Interest on Lawyers’ Client Account scheme will likely push law firms to hold more client money outside of a client account, to the detriment of consumer protection.
Barrister disbarred for sexually assaulting child
A barrister who sexually assaulted a child in 1992 and “used his position of trust to groom that victim” has been disbarred.
Government presses ahead with HMRC register plan for conveyancers
The government gave no sign of backing down on requiring conveyancers to register as tax advisers with HM Revenue & Customs in this week’s debate on the Finance Bill.
Judge rejects disbarred barrister’s appeal over immigration firm
An ex-barrister who failed to disclose he had been disbarred has failed in a challenge to the Immigration Advice Authority’s refusal to register his firm.
SRA intervenes into 11 firms making up PM Law group
The SRA has intervened into 11 law firms that between them have 30 trading names following the sudden closure on Monday of the PM Law group..
Law firm can go ahead with Legal Ombudsman judicial review
A law firm has won permission to judicially review a decision by the Legal Ombudsman to award a former client £66,000 in compensation and refunded or waived legal fees.
SRA and FCA warn over multiple representation and termination fees
The SRA and FCA have joined forces to warn about multiple representation and excessive termination fees in motor finance claims.
Confusion reigns as 600-person law firm group suddenly shuts
A group employing 600 people across multiple law firms and offices around the country suddenly closed its doors this week, sparking widespread uncertainty and confusion.
Cost of SRA investigation and enforcement work soars to £23m
The amount of money spent by the Solicitors Regulation Authority on investigations and enforcement has spiralled by 61% over six years, new figures have shown.
In-house lawyer who lied on CVs to “create a persona” struck off
An in-house lawyer who said he lied on a number of CVs to create “a persona that he thought was required for a role in private practice” has been struck off.
Fine for law firm that allowed $23m to go through client account
A law firm run by an ex-Law Society president has been fined £68,000 for anti-money laundering failures, including allowing $23m to pass through its client account with no underlying legal work.
MoJ client account interest plan a “stealth tax on legal services”
The Ministry of Justice’s plan to use client account interest to fund its work is “nothing more than a stealth tax on legal services”, according to the first public response to its consultation.
Tribunal: AI use adds to doubts over would-be lawyer’s integrity
A legal practice course graduate seeking authorisation as an immigration adviser raised concerns about his integrity by citing fake cases generated by ChatGPT, a tribunal has ruled.
LSB, APIL and Law Centres Federation to intervene in Mazur
The Legal Services Board, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, and the Law Centres Federation have all been granted permission to intervene in next month’s Mazur appeal.
Solicitor struck off for selling property without co-owner’s knowledge
A solicitor who sold a property he part-owned without the knowledge of his co-owner has been struck off, with the SDT finding he was “primarily motivated” by resentment.
Blog
Why this is the year for law firms to embrace generative AI
After more than a year of pilots, proofs of value and early experimentation, firms are increasingly embedding AI into day-to-day workflows.
Client account interest is not spare change
The proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme is being framed as a sensible, international, “tried and tested” way for the profession to help fund a justice system under strain.
The formula for finance-enabled business development
Client concentration or over-dependence now counts as a top strategic risk for 26% of firms. Cross-selling is an antidote – a way to bolster revenue resilience without relying on client acquisition.
