Regulation
Tribunal clears solicitor of SDLT scheme allegations
A solicitor accused of misconduct in his advice on three stamp duty land tax avoidance schemes has been completely exonerated by a disciplinary tribunal.
Tribunal “incredulous” after firm secretary ends up in client’s will
An employment tribunal has expressed its “incredulity” at the way a solicitor’s former secretary befriended one of his clients and ended up in the client’s will.
“Monumental” breach of trust by solicitor turned crook
The breach of trust by a solicitor jailed for stealing nearly £100,000 from clients who were his friends has been described as “monumental” by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Charity offers £1m Covid-19 support to solicitors
SBA, the charity for solicitors, is launching a £1m hardship fund to aid those in financial difficulty following the outbreak of Covid-19. Meanwhile, its barrister equivalent has appealed for donations.
It comes as its barrister equivalent, the Barristers Benevolent Association (BBA), has launched an appeal for funds to support members of the Bar.
SRA: Legal Services Act regime “struggling to remain relevant”
The rate of change in the legal market makes it “increasingly difficult” for the regulatory framework laid down by the Legal Services Act to remain relevant, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned.
Firm’s “drinking culture” led solicitor to alcoholism
A solicitor who became an alcoholic after taking part in the drinking culture of a former firm has been fined by a tribunal after two drink-driving convictions.
One in seven female solicitors suffer bullying or discrimination
One in seven female solicitors have experienced bullying, discrimination and harassment in the workplace over the past year, while there is also a large gender pay gap, Law Society research has revealed.
Solicitor let firm “dissolve into complete mess”
A sole practitioner who let his law firm “dissolve into a complete mess” – with his removal from lenders’ panels the major factor behind his financial problems – has been fined £7,500.
Fine for barrister who took 15 months to pay fine
An unregistered barrister and solicitor who took 15 months to pay a £500 fine levied by the Bar Standards Board has been reprimanded – and ordered to pay another £500.
“Release QC money” to support Bar during Covid-19
The Bar Council has been urged to call in its share of the surplus held by QC Appointments to support barristers struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, as the Inns of Court looks at measures too.
Blog
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.
Is competition in the legal sector stifling innovation?
As the legal sector’s competitive landscape continues to evolve, Nobel laureates remind us that innovation is not inevitable,and that competition may not always be an incentive to innovate.
What high-performing consumer claims firms get right
Recurring concerns about parts of the volume claims sector show that the gap between well-run firms and those struggling to manage volume effectively is widening.
