Regulation
LOD launches unregulated firm for in-house advice
Flexible lawyering business LOD has launched an unregulated law firm, staffed entirely by former in-house solicitors, to help companies with “everyday in-house work”.
“Careless” solicitor who practised unauthorised struck off
A solicitor who carried on practising for almost five months after his practising certificate and indemnity insurance expired has been struck off.
Solicitor lied about backdating legal aid forms
A young solicitor who botched the backdating of legal aid forms and then lied about it to his employer has agreed to leave the profession.
LSB ramp ups pressure on regulatory independence
The Legal Services Board is ramping up pressure on the Law Society, the Bar Council and other approved regulators over ensuring the independence of their regulatory arms.
CLC moves closer to approving third-party managed accounts
Firms of licensed conveyancers will only be able to use third-party managed accounts if it is in each client’s best interests, their regulator has proposed.
No special rules allowing regulators to override LPP
There are no special rules allowing regulators such as the Financial Reporting Council to override the protection of legal professional privilege, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Solicitor sanctioned after calling client “sad and pathetic”
A solicitor who sent “inappropriate, derogatory and offensive emails” to a client and his mother, describing him as a “sad and pathetic man”, has been censured by a tribunal.
SRA money laundering supervision to extend to tax advice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority could face a cash shortage if the new anti-money laundering rules increase the number of firms it supervises, it has warned.
Sexist comments “remain rife” in legal profession
Some 58% of women in the legal profession say they or women they work with have received inappropriate comments from male colleagues relating to their gender, new research has found.
Sharp drop in LPC pass rate
Pass rates on the legal practice course have fallen significantly, while the achievement gap between white and ethnic minority students remains large, new research has found.
Blog
Strong AML controls are meaningless with incomplete data
One expectation as the FCA takes control of anti-money laundering oversight is a move towards more supervision rather than simply writing new rules.
Navigating the legal AI productivity-profitability paradox
Firms are achieving efficiencies through AI, especially in the practice of law. Yet many are struggling to see that reflected in their financial outcomes
Regulation, growth and access to justice: why legal services need a reset
Well-intentioned consumer protections embedded in the regulation of legal services increasingly act as barriers to innovation, competition and access to justice.
