Regulation
Unregulated firms employing solicitors “must be clear with clients”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has spelled out the importance of unregulated firms that employ solicitors under its new rules ensuring that clients understand the limitations of the arrangement.
Barrister suspended again after returning from drug-conviction ban
A barrister who only recently returned to practice after completing a three-year suspension for a high-profile drugs conviction, has been suspended again.
Green light for civil standard of proof at SDT
The Legal Services Board has approved the change in the standard of proof used by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal from the criminal to the civil standard.
“Put your house in order,” court tells solicitor over higher rights
The High Court has told a solicitor who accidentally exercised higher rights of audience without the formal qualification to do so “to put his house in order”.
City firm called in to advise on Legal Access Challenge
The innovation division of City law firm Ashurst has been appointed as technical adviser to the Legal Access Challenge, which aims to support and accelerate ideas to use technology to improve access to justice. The challenge is the centrepiece of… Read More
Motoring lawyer fails to overturn drink-driving fine
A solicitor specialising in motoring offences has failed to overturn a £15,000 fine imposed on her by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal following a second conviction for drink-driving.
SRA received 70 workplace harassment complaints last year
The Solicitors Regulation Authority received 70 complaints about harassment in the workplace last year, many of which were about law firm working environments, it revealed yesterday.
Cry freedom: New rules “strengthen regulators’ independence”
The Legal Services Board has finalised revised rules to ensure clearer separation of regulatory and representative functions at bodies like the Law Society and Bar Council.
High Court rejects solicitor’s appeal against £15,000 fine
The High Court has rejected an appeal by a solicitor against a £15,000 fine for paying £900 from a client into his personal bank account, again testing the boundary between dishonesty and a lack of integrity.
Report calls for better regulation of criminal defence work
An “effective system” is needed for monitoring the quality of criminal defence lawyers, a report has argued, identifying the way “perverse financial incentives” bear on the provision of services.
Blog
Why later-life divorce requires a distinct professional framework
Later-life divorce, often described as ‘silver splitter’ or ‘grey divorce’ cases, is no longer a marginal feature of family law practice. It challenges long-standing assumptions about how divorce work is done.
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.
