Solicitors
Solicitor who forged documents to fool SRA struck off
A solicitor who forged three documents to help him in an investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has been struck off. He also forged the dates of legal charges and a mortgage deed.
Woman faked email reference to get law firm job
A woman who set up a fake law firm email address so as to provide a bogus reference to a real firm looking to employ her has been banned from working in the profession.
Police question solicitors’ lack of terror finance reports
The low number of suspicious activity reports made by solicitors relating to possible terrorist financing indicates under-reporting, a senior policeman told the profession this week.
Review spells out toll of cyber-crime on law firms
A study of 40 law firms which suffered a cyber-attack over the past three years has found that more than £4m of client money was stolen from 23 of them.
New law “to put more pressure” on solicitors’ NDA advice
A new law ensuring that employees signing non-disclosure agreements receive independent legal advice will “increase the onus” on solicitors to act properly when drafting them, the government has said.
7,000 firms to face AML check over compliance concerns
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to check 7,000 law firms’ compliance with anti-money laundering regulations after an initial sweep found that too many were not complying.
In-house lawyers’ ethics: “Bright spots amid the gloom”
The largest study of the ethics of in-house lawyers ever undertaken has shown a “gloomy picture” of lawyers wedded first to the commercial objectives of the companies they work for.
Serious misconduct “does not mean automatic strike-off”
A finding of serious misconduct against a solicitor does not require striking off or an immediate suspension from practice, the High Court has ruled.
Dozens of law firms enabling corruption, report finds
Dozens of UK law firms are providing corrupt individuals with services that enable them to “move, hide and defend their ill-gotten gains with impunity”, Transparency International has claimed.
Boss of bogus law firm disqualified as director
The head of a bogus solicitors’ firm has received a 10-year director’s disqualification for running the business with a total lack of integrity.
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.
