Regulation

The male barrister fined for whispering suggestively to a younger female colleague and then smacking her on the bottom said he thought she was consenting because she did not openly object, it has emerged.

The Supreme Court is to consider whether costs should only be awarded against regulators in unsuccessful cases where there is good reason to make an order, it announced today.

A “seriously inept” solicitor who transferred money to another law firm’s client account, in breach of a court order that his firm should hold it, has been fined £8,000.

The Legal Ombudsman’s proposed 19% budget increase is not justified, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has said in calling for an external task force to help it deal with complaints more quickly.

A chartered legal executive who made an “implied threat” of criminal proceedings in a bid to stop a witness testifying against her client has been banned from working for solicitors’ firms.

A barrister who touched two individuals sexually has been suspended from practice for three months by a Bar disciplinary tribunal.

Shadow Lord Chancellor David Lammy yesterday condemned the barrister at the centre of a racism row over his comments about the Equality Act “empowering the stroppy teenager of colour”.

A barrister has come under fire from his own chambers and other barristers for tweeting that “The Equality Act undermines school discipline by empowering the stroppy teenager of colour”.

Three partners have been fined for charging conveyancing clients for the firm’s indemnity insurance, as well as “variable sums” for filling out a simple standard form.

A barrister already prevented from practising for three years after withdrawing from a case without telling his client will now have to wait three more years after another finding against him.