Regulation
Barrister who smacked colleague on bottom “thought she was consenting”
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.
Supreme Court to consider costs orders against regulators
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.
“Inept” solicitor transferred money in breach of court order
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.
LeO “needs external help” to speed up complaints handling
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.
Legal executive threatened witness in holiday sickness case
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.
Barrister suspended for “sexual” touching without consent
A barrister who touched two individuals sexually has been suspended from practice for three months by a Bar disciplinary tribunal.
Lammy wades in over barrister’s “shameful” tweet
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”.
Uproar over barrister’s “stroppy teenager of colour” tweet
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”.
Fines for partners who charged clients for indemnity insurance
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.
Non-compliant barrister given another three-year practising ban
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.
Blog
It’s time for law firms to ask tougher questions
For years, many law firms have treated ID verification as a box-ticking exercise. Run a liveness check, match a face to a document and move on. But that is no longer good enough.
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
