Regulation
High Court criticises SDT’s “lack of clarity” as it overturns strike-off
A High Court judge has criticised the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for “lack of clarity of thought” as it replaced a strike-off with a two-year suspension.
Academics and Law Society clash over in-house accountabillity
Leading academics at University College London have clashed with the Law Society over a proposal to exclude heads of legal from the FCA’s new framework for individual accountability.
Tribunal halves CMC’s £200k fine for calling people it shouldn’t
The First-tier Tribunal has halved at £198,000 fine imposed on a claims management company for calling people registered with the Telephone Preference Service.
Consumer panel attacks SRA over freelance solicitors ‘u-turn’
The chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel has strongly attacked the Solicitors Regulation Authority for changing its insurance requirements for freelance solicitors without giving a reason.
Immigration adviser who acted beyond remit referred to regulator
The Upper Tribunal has referred an immigration adviser “persuaded to act outside his remit by the entreaties of clients” to the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.
Barrister and solicitor thrown out of profession for sex offences
A barrister jailed for 10 years for multiple sex offences has been disbarred, while a solicitor convicted of three offences and handed a suspended sentence has been struck off.
Barrister’s non-contractual fees “vest in trustee in bankruptcy”
A barrister’s non-contractual fees are property for the purposes of insolvency law and vest in his trustee in bankruptcy, the Court of Appeal has ruled as it overturned the High Court.
Solicitor sanctioned for role in fraudulent transfer of Islamic centre
A solicitor who recklessly facilitated a “dubious transaction” involving an Islamic community centre has been fined £20,000 and given a suspended suspension by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Convicted solicitor MP to face disciplinary tribunal
The Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed today that it is prosecuting MP Fiona Onasanya after she was convicted of perverting the course of justice by lying about a speeding offence.
Solicitor convicted of subletting council home
A solicitor’s conviction for illegally subletting his council flat in London has been upheld after he lost his appeal against a suspended jail sentence. He was living and working as a solicitor in Birmingham.
Blog
Is your Google Ads budget funding your competitors’ AI visibility?
If your cost-per-click has crept up again this year, you’ve probably assumed the market simply got more expensive. That’s the wrong way to read what’s happening.
Containing the spread of unapproved AI
Nearly 60% of fee-earners admit to using unapproved tools (like free versions of ChatGPT). Yet 68% of firm leaders are confident there is zero risk of unapproved AI being used for client work.
When AI adoption goes wrong, costs add up fast
City AM recently reported that London is fighting to claim the title of ‘global capital of legal AI’. However, it’s crucial we remember that adoption alone does not create value.
