Solicitors
High Court: SDT wrong to reject solicitor’s medical evidence but right to strike him off
The High Court has upheld a decision by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) to strike off solicitor Timothy Schools, but said that evidence about the state of his health should not have been rejected.
Keep legal executives out of the Crown Court, Rivlin report demands
A report for the Bar Council on the future of criminal justice and advocacy has recommended that legal executives are kept out of the Crown Courts, while solicitors should only be granted rights of audience if they have undergone the same level of training as barristers.
Lawyers raise fears over ‘equivalent means’ route to qualification
The legal community has mixed feelings about the ‘equivalent means’ route to qualification as a solicitor, with even those who like the idea fearing the consquences of greater competition and consequently lower wages, according to a survey.
Government cuts regulation for firms involved in consumer credit work
The government has reduced the scope of regulation for law firms involved in consumer credit work, such as debt collection. It has also increased the ability of firms to offer payment by instalments.
Struck off and now disbarred: lawyer who defrauded the Law Society
A former solicitor and non-practising barrister who was convicted of a string of offences – including assaulting two police officers and defrauding the Law Society of £23,000 while a member of its council – has been disbarred two months after she was struck off the roll of solicitors.
Exclusive: Miscarriages of justice charity seeks law firm status
A criminal appeals charity run by lawyers has applied to the Solicitors Regulation Authority to be a regulated legal practice, and could become the first charity to become a traditional law firm in its own right.
SDT fines “appalling” solicitor record £305,000
A solicitor who took advantage of a former client has been given a record £305,000 fine by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, more than six times the previous highest amount.
Reports of bogus law firms hit new high
More than 700 reports of bogus law firms were made to the Solicitors Regulation Authority in 2014, an annual increase of over 25%, its latest risk update has revealed.
Regulation round-up: consumers to have 12 months to complain to LeO, plus SRA, LSB and IPS news
The six-month time limit for clients to complain to the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) is to be doubled from this summer, it has announced. The new time limit, which takes effect from 9 July, runs from the date of receiving a final response from the lawyer.
SRA warns litigators not to become “hired guns”
Litigation solicitors were today warned by their regulator not to prioritise the client’s interest over their other duties, stressing that they are not “hired guns”. Balancing conflicting pressures in litigation was an occupational hazard for solicitors.
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.
