Regulation
Commercial sets back scheme to fund criminal law pupillages
Eight commercial chambers have signed up to a Bar Council scheme to fund criminal law pupillages that would otherwise not be available because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Solicitor agrees to leave profession over multiple AML failures
A solicitor who failed in his “basic duties” around anti-money laundering has been fined £2,000 – rather than up to £50,000 his misconduct deserved – because he has agreed to leave the profession.
Tribunal “right” to disbar barrister over misconduct in case involving own children
A tribunal was entitled to disbar a barrister over her conduct of a dispute with the father of their children, the High Court has ruled in the latest case to consider the reach of regulation into personal lives.
Male and BAME solicitors still disproportionate focus of SRA action
Men and solicitors from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds continue to feature disproportionately in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s enforcement work, new figures have shown.
Solicitor who lied to new employer struck off
A solicitor who lied when she told her new employer that she was not under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has been struck off.
Solicitor who sold firm’s letterhead for £10 a case is struck off
A solicitor has been struck off for selling his firm’s letterhead to a company for use in compensation claims for £10 a letter where the claim was successful, along with improper transfers from client account.
Children’s charities urge action over youth court advocacy standards
Children’s charities have criticised the failure to take forward recommendations that youth court advocates receive mandatory training to ensure they have the right skills.
Second national newspaper settles libel claim brought by barrister
A barrister has secured a second retraction and damages from a national newspaper after being wrongly accused of making death threats to a law student.
LSB eyes legal expenses insurance expansion and “approved” products
The LSB has sketched out a future where most households have a legal expenses insurance policy to access a wide range of legal services, and there are approved ‘simple legal products’ in the market.
SDT: No significant risk that groping ‘KKK’ solicitor will repeat conduct
There is no “significant risk” that a senior partner who did a Ku Klux Klan impersonation at his Black secretary and repeatedly groped her bottom will repeat his behaviour, the SDT has decided.
Blog
Small steps, big impact: how SME law firms are making legal tech work
For SME law firms, the priority is turning the potential of tech into measurable impact: success is driven not just by the technology, but by how firms approach planning and implementation.
Why housing disrepair claims against councils have leapt by nearly 400%
Housing disrepair claims against councils have surged dramatically in recent years, with some areas reporting increases approaching a staggering 400%.
Client accounts: Opportunity, obligation and the risks in between
The profitability gap between well-run firms and the rest is not primarily a function of size, location or practice area – it is a function of financial management.
