Solicitors
Time for law firms to go back to school, says BPP chief
Legal apprenticeships “are going to be massive” and law firms will have to respond by recruiting A-Level students straight from school, the dean of BPP Law School has predicted. Peter Crisp said he also believed the SRA would “force through” a centralised assessment test for would-be solicitors.
SDT rejects plea to avoid strike-off from solicitor convicted of possessing indecent images
A solicitor convicted of child pornography offences has been struck off after his plea to be suspended instead so that he might retain some dignity and as an acknowledgement of his efforts in the profession was rejected.
Government not keen on more regulation, warns LSB chief – despite issues around unregulated providers
The new government is not keen to extend regulation of legal services, including will-writing, the chief executive of the Legal Services Board (LSB) has warned. Richard Moriarty said innovation was key to tackling the “trilemma” facing legal services.
SRA floats end to both compulsory minimum PII and compensation fund
An end to a compulsory minimum level of professional indemnity insurance (PII) and replacing the compensation fund with an insurance policy are among the ideas for reform of client protection arrangements put forward by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Law firm should have warned property investors about “notoriously crime-ridden” Calabria
A law firm with offices in Italy and England was under a duty to warn British and Irish property investors of the risks of investing in a part of Italy associated with organised crime, the High Court has ruled.
SRA investigates immigration firm condemned by Leveson
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is investigating an immigration law firm condemned by Sir Brian Leveson for a “systemic failure” in the way it allowed an unqualified caseworker to issue a judicial review without supervision.
Barrister finishes pupillage at personal injury solicitors
In a rare move, a barrister has been allowed to finish her pupillage at a personal injury law firm. Henrietta Hughes is set to become the first in-house counsel at Cheshire and London firm Hilary Meredith Solicitors when her pupillage ends in August.
Solicitor agrees never to practise again in deal struck with SRA
A solicitor whose firm was shut down last year after failing to effect an orderly wind-down has agreed never to practise again in a deal struck with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. John David Arnott admitted to five charges relating to his practice in Witney, Oxfordshire.
SRA to probe solicitor in relationship with client during “shameful” contact battle
A solicitor who is in a relationship with his client while she goes through an acrimonious contact dispute is to be investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, with a High Court judge saying that the lawyer is “in a situation where he cannot give independent professional advice”.
Solicitor wins appeal against striking-off
A solicitor struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has won the right to a new hearing in front of a different tribunal after the High Court ruled that the tribunal was wrong to accuse her of dishonesty.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
