Solicitors
Opinions split on SRA’s centralised higher rights test
Plans by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to introduce a centralised test for solicitors wanting higher rights of audience have divided opinions among organisations and individual solicitors.
Solicitor turned adult actor handed bankruptcy order
Paul Baxendale-Walker, a struck-off solicitor who went on to become an adult film producer and actor, and bought Loaded magazine, has been handed a 10-year bankruptcy restrictions order.
SRA relaxes assessment rules for students and trainees
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has today outlined a significant relaxation of its rules for law students and trainees to allow more of their assessment to go online.
Calls to protect criminal solicitors, pupils and LPC students
Criminal defence solicitors have threatened to stop attending police stations and a protocol to protect pupil barristers was published among efforts to protect the profession during the pandemic.
SRA will take “pragmatic” approach to breaches during pandemic
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has finally issued guidance to those it regulates on dealing with the coronavirus, stressing it will be “pragmatic” when taking action over rule breaches.
“Self-critical” solicitor cleared of dishonesty
A solicitor described as “self-critical to an extent that was beyond any fault found” has been cleared of dishonesty after facilitating a transaction which bore the hallmarks of mortgage fraud.
Government identifies justice system’s keyworkers
Legal professionals involved in court and tribunal hearings, as well as those advising people deprived of their liberty or on executing wills are ‘keyworkers’, the Ministry of Justice has said.
Partner fined for using firm’s accounts as bank
A partner who used his law firm’s office and client accounts as personal banking facilities has been fined £2,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
“Strong improvement” in AML oversight by regulators
There has been a “strong improvement” among the legal regulators in their approach to anti-money laundering, their oversight body has reported.
Consumer panel urges more fixed fees and SRA fining powers
More use of fixed fees and an increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s fining powers are among recommendations made today by the Legal Services Consumer Panel.
Blog
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
Why this is the year for law firms to embrace generative AI
After more than a year of pilots, proofs of value and early experimentation, firms are increasingly embedding AI into day-to-day workflows.
Client account interest is not spare change
The proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme is being framed as a sensible, international, “tried and tested” way for the profession to help fund a justice system under strain.
