Regulation
Solicitors worried about impact of new SRA rulebook
Nearly two-thirds of solicitors at smaller firms are concerned about the impact of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s new rulebook, and much more than about Brexit, research has found.
Former City partner who operated “under the radar” struck off
A former City partner who operated “under the radar”, concealing the unauthorised and unregulated status of his firm, has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Exclusive: Second policy director in three months leaves SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has lost its second policy director in three months, Legal Futures can reveal. Richard Collins has joined Crispin Passmore in leaving the organisation.
Solicitor faked attendance notes to fight negligence claim
A solicitor who faked attendance notes in an ultimately unsuccessful bid to ward off a negligence claim has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Solicitor fined for lending client money at 60% APR
A solicitor has been fined £20,000 after loaning his client money at an annual interest rate of 60% and eventually repossessing her house, selling it and making a return of nearly twice what he lent her.
Accountants lose appeal over regulation refusal
The High Court has rejected a challenge from the ICAEW to the Lord Chancellor’s decision that its members should not be allowed to handle tax-related litigation, advocacy and legal instruments work
LSB “should focus on tackling sexual harassment”, says Law Society
The Legal Services Board should focus on tackling sexual harassment in the workplace instead of pushing its agenda of ‘change for change’s sake’, the Law Society has said.
High Court rejects evidence from law firm ‘whistleblower’
The president of the family division has rejected a wife’s application to admit the statement of a ‘whistleblower’ inside her former husband’s legal team who sent the court privileged information.
Trading Standards publishes guidance on conveyancing referral fees
The clock on a possible ban on referral fees from lawyers to estate agents has started running after new guidance on disclosure was published by National Trading Standards.
Addict solicitor struck off after hiding cocaine offence
An experienced solicitor has been struck off after accepting a caution for possession of banned drugs, failing to report it to the regulator, and misleading police.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
