Regulation
Immigration lawyer struck off for “hijacking identities”
A jailed immigration solicitor who turned to crime only two years after qualifying has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Solicitor sanctioned for “puerile” social media posts on clients
A solicitor who repeatedly made “inappropriate and puerile comments” on social media about his clients’ matters, and revealed confidential information, has been rebuked for his conduct.
Solicitor attorney raided vulnerable client’s bank accounts
A solicitor who used his role as attorney to raid a vulnerable elderly client’s bank accounts – and has not accounted for rings he was looking after on the client’s behalf – has been struck off.
Hogan Lovells partner rebuked over pregnancy discrimination
A senior finance partner at City giant Hogan Lovells has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority after a tribunal found that he discriminated against his children’s pregnant nanny.
Solicitor “caught up in deception” while on honeymoon
A consultant solicitor who “inadvertently” became caught up in a client’s act of “deception” of the Takeover Panel while he was away on his honeymoon has been fined £3,000.
FCA: “Widespread poor practice” in CMC advertising
The Financial Conduct Authority has found “widespread poor practice” in the advertising put out by claims management companies, and begun taking action to address it.
Job changers find themselves in disciplinary hot water
A solicitor who failed to tell a new employer why her previous firm had dismissed her has been rebuked, as has a business development manager who used client information from her old firm.
Elderly solicitor struck off for overcharging clients
A solicitor’s 55 years of practice have come to an end after he was struck off for overcharging probate clients. His motivation was “to maintain the continuation of his practice and his standing in the community”.
Solicitor operated unauthorised online divorce business
A family lawyer who created an online divorce service did so to avoid regulation and not share the fees generated with his law firm, a tribunal has found in striking him off.
SRA plans centralised higher rights advocacy test
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is planning to introduce a centralised advocacy assessment for solicitors wanting higher rights of audience, including those practising in the youth court.
Blog
SEO is changing: Are you measuring the right things?
AI means firms may see falling organic traffic and wonder if SEO is still working. The more interesting question is whether traffic is still the right measure of success.
Forms are evolving – and more interesting than you might think
I have spent much of my working life thinking about something most people would probably prefer not to think about at all: legal forms.
The questions that determine if the SRA’s client money reforms will work
Both reforms respond to real and well-evidenced gaps in the current framework. The SRA’s changes after consultation feedback shows it’s listening. But structural change on paper is only half the job.
Reports
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