Regulation
BSB urged to take over ‘fit and proper person’ tests from inns
The Bar Standards Board has been urged to take control from the Inns of Court of deciding whether someone is ‘fit and proper’ to be called to the Bar.
Disciplined solicitor blames failings on legal aid cuts
A criminal sole practitioner has been fined for offences which he blamed on having dispensed with his accounts manager after the firm suffered from legal aid cuts.
Heat rising over SRA plan for solicitors in unregulated firms
The Legal Services Board has received unprecedented lobbying against the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s plans to allow solicitors to practise from unregulated businesses.
Leading firm ordered to hand over part of client file to HMRC
National law firm DAC Beachcroft has had mixed success in fighting off a bid by HM Revenue & Customs to access a conveyancing file involving offshore clients.
Four solicitors struck off after leaving firm in £61m debt
Four solicitors have been struck off for their role at a Preston law firm which collapsed owing the scandal-hit Axiom Legal Financing Fund £61m.
“Olympics bomb hoax” barrister disbarred
Barrister Michael Shrimpton – who was jailed for a bomb hoax at the London Olympics – has been disbarred by a disciplinary tribunal.
CMC owners face an end to ‘phoenixing’
An end to owners of CMCs closing down a distressed firm and opening another – known as ‘phoenixing’ – is on the cards under new proposals from the Financial Conduct Authority.
Solicitor and barrister both sanctioned for drink driving
A solicitor and barrister have separately been sanctioned for drink-drive offences, although only the latter appeared before a disciplinary tribunal.
Bar Council slams BSB’s “dilution” of barrister brand
The Bar Council has reacted with outrage to training reforms that it says would automatically ‘passport’ solicitors with higher rights of audience to become barristers.
City lawyer “diverted client cash to own bank account”
A Spanish lawyer who sent “misleading” emails to divert £183,000 intended for his client to his personal bank account, has been struck off the register of European lawyers.
Blog
Our vision for 2026: A shared approach to AML
We want to see law firms start taking AML compliance as seriously as it deserves. This means treating it not as a tick-box exercise or a procedural necessity, but as a serious part of company culture.
Why later-life divorce requires a distinct professional framework
Later-life divorce, often described as ‘silver splitter’ or ‘grey divorce’ cases, is no longer a marginal feature of family law practice. It challenges long-standing assumptions about how divorce work is done.
Listening, learning and leading The Solicitor’s Charity with care
As I prepare to hand over the mantle of chair of The Solicitor’s Charity next month, it doesn’t feel like an end. Instead, it feels like a wonderful journey.
