Regulation
Solicitor used jailed client’s money to prop up firm
A criminal law solicitor who used money from a jailed client for an appeal to stabilise his firm’s “precarious financial position” has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
“Caring” solicitor undone by accounting system
A “passionate, caring and in many respects competent” solicitor, whose firm got into a financial mess in part because of the accounting software she used, has escaped removal from practice.
Employment tribunal rejects BSB race discrimination claim
Claims of race discrimination brought by a barrister against the Bar Standards Board as part of a decade-long dispute have been dismissed as time-barred by an employment tribunal.
CMA unveils progress review of competition in legal market
The Competition and Markets Authority today announced a three-month review of the progress made in improving competition in the legal services sector for consumers and small businesses.
SRA fines leading firm for money laundering check failures
Well-known law firm Taylor Vinters has been fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for failing to undertake proper money laundering checks on millions of pounds paid into its client account.
Solicitor launches unregulated nanotech firm
A solicitor has launched what he believes is the first legal consultancy in the UK devoted entirely to nanotech firms, the latest to use the rules that allow solicitors to practise from unregulated firms.
“Extremely drunk” senior partner touched and kissed paralegal
The “extremely drunk” senior partner of a London law firm has been fined £10,000 for touching a paralegal on the bottom and kissing her on the neck while sitting next to her in a bar.
Covid knock-on puts future pupillage numbers under pressure
The number of chambers delaying pupillages that were due to start this month or next is likely to have a knock-on effect on the supply of places until 2022, the Bar Standards Board said today.
Gary Senior case: “An extraordinary abuse of position,” says SDT
The former managing partner of Baker McKenzie’s London office committed “an extraordinary abuse of position” by sexually harassing a junior fee-earner in his hotel room, the SDT has ruled.
Leading regional accountants launch ABS to expand offering
A major Lincolnshire-based firm of accountants is moving beyond offering probate services by becoming an ABS to provide clients with a “wrap-around” service.
Blog
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
