Solicitors
Charity pours scorn on quality of immigration detainees’ advice
Legal representation for immigration detainees is poor, including the quality of advice given by solicitors, according to a charity that challenges detention in removal centres and prisons.
Criminal lawyer was “duped by fraudster” over football club deal
A criminal law solicitor who “appeared to have been duped by a convicted fraudster” has been fined for letters he produced to give comfort to potential business partners.
Law Society’s defence of NDA guidance draws heavy fire
The Law Society’s defence of its practice note on non-disclosure agreements has not silenced its critics, with the leading academic in the field accusing Chancery Lane of “putting PR before principles”.
Solicitor hit with £500k POCA fine for using house as office
A West London solicitor has hit with a £500,000 confiscation order for repeatedly disregarding warnings from his local council to stop using a terraced home as an office for his firm.
Law lecturers “free to embrace diversity”, says academic
Academics who decline to pursue diversity in their teaching wrongly think that the content of curriculums for qualifying law degrees is detailed by legal regulators, a leading academic has suggested.
Consumers see technology as key to unlocking access to law
A majority of people in England and Wales think the legal system is not set up for ordinary people, with only half seeking advice from a lawyer when faced with a legal problem, new research has found.
Probate solicitor took money from estates to keep firm afloat
A probate solicitor took money from the estates to shore up his practice over eight years and produced false accounts to clients to hide what he had done, it has emerged.
Rebuke for solicitor who made offensive comment to blind client
An experienced partner has been rebuked for making an offensive comment to a registered blind client in front of others after she asked for a form to be enlarged so that she could read it.
Number of law firms shut down falls to 10-year low
The number of law firms shut down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority fell to a 10-year low in 2018, but payouts to victims of dishonest solicitors have increased, new figures have shown.
Green light for new regime on when to report rule breaches
New requirements for reporting rule breaches to the Solicitors Regulation Authority have been approved by the Legal Services Board. The changes include a new ‘early investigation’ rule.
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.
