Solicitors
SRA plans centralised higher rights advocacy test
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is planning to introduce a centralised advocacy assessment for solicitors wanting higher rights of audience, including those practising in the youth court.
Solicitor who lied to clients for four years struck off
A private client solicitor who lied to her clients over a period of almost four years at two different firms has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Solicitor jailed for 14 months for contempt
A solicitor has been jailed for 14 months after being found guilty on four counts of contempt of court for breaching undertakings given to the court about missing client money.
Will-writing boss warns of battle with unregulated firms
The chief executive of leading online will-writer Farewill has warned that “there will definitely be conflict between regulated and unregulated providers” over the future of the industry.
High Court: Silence not golden in disciplinary tribunals
Disciplinary proceedings are not a “criminal/civil hybrid” and tribunals may draw adverse inferences from respondents staying silent, the High Court has made clear.
Solicitor misled SRA about dubious £1m funder of his firm
A solicitor who misled the Solicitors Regulation Authority about a “dubious” funder he was using to finance his new law firm has been fined £25,000.
Law Society NDA advice for public raises fresh questions
The Law Society has launched what it called “a public legal education initiative” to help employees with NDAs – but it appears at odds with both its own guidance to solicitors and that of their regulator.
Solicitors “must think about run-off cover” ahead of SIF closing
Partners and fee-earners in law firms which have closed should give “careful thought” to buying additional run-off cover to protect them when the Solicitors Indemnity Fund closes next year.
Drink-driving solicitors sanctioned by SRA
Three solicitors with convictions for drink-driving have been sanctioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority after signing regulatory settlement agreements.
Solicitor struck off for misleading regulator
A solicitor cleared of all the substantive charges against him by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has still been struck off because he misled the Solicitors Regulation Authority during its investigation.
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.
