Solicitors
Crime agency adds online lawyer impersonation to hit list
The impersonation of lawyers to commit advance fee frauds has been added to the list of large-scale cyber-attacks from which the National Cyber Security Centre is trying to protect the public.
“Overworked” London solicitor fined for expenses claim errors
A London solicitor has been fined £2,500 for accidentally submitting duplicate receipts for taxis to his top-100 law firm, amounting to just £200. He blamed the errors on the long hours he was working.
Potential freelance solicitors told: Don’t resign just yet
There is a “huge amount of interest” among lawyers in becoming freelance solicitors under the new SRA rules, but they have been warned not to hand in their notice just yet.
Solicitor hit by legal aid cuts was “perfect target” for fraudsters
A sole practitioner described by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal as the “perfect target” for the promoters of dubious investment schemes has been struck off.
Consumer panel urges regulators to publish complaints data
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has criticised legal regulators’ continuing “resistance” to publishing complaints data about the lawyers they oversee.
Immigration regulator has “deep concerns” about SRA reforms
The immigration regulator has expressed its “deep concern” at the rules that will allow practising solicitors to operate from unregulated businesses.
Struck-off solicitor made bankrupt by SRA agrees nine-year order
A struck-off solicitor made bankrupt by the Solicitors Regulation Authority because he owes it nearly £150,000 has agreed to a further nine years of bankruptcy restrictions.
Solicitor who forged certificates to qualify is struck off
A solicitor who only qualified because he lied about having passed certain tests – and even forged certificates to convince the Solicitors Regulation Authority – has been struck off.
Solicitor who lied to Mueller inquiry is struck off
A solicitor who was jailed for 30 days after pleading guilty to making false statements to the Mueller inquiry into Donald Trump has been struck off.
Rocket Lawyer chief: SQE will “transform access to justice”
Four times as many law graduates will be able to practise as solicitors after the solicitors qualifying examination comes in in 2021, a move that will be “transformative” for access to the law.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
