Solicitors
Solicitor convicted over cannabis farm suspended from practice
A solicitor has been suspended from practice after being convicted of allowing a small cannabis farm to grow in her house. A tribunal said maintaining the profession’s reputation required it.
Paralegal jailed for swindling money from clients’ estates
A paralegal who stole £70,000 from people’s estates to splash out on designer clothes and handbags has been jailed for more than three years. She posed as beneficiaries of two wills.
High Court criticises SDT’s “lack of clarity” as it overturns strike-off
A High Court judge has criticised the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for “lack of clarity of thought” as it replaced a strike-off with a two-year suspension.
Academics and Law Society clash over in-house accountabillity
Leading academics at University College London have clashed with the Law Society over a proposal to exclude heads of legal from the FCA’s new framework for individual accountability.
Consumer panel attacks SRA over freelance solicitors ‘u-turn’
The chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel has strongly attacked the Solicitors Regulation Authority for changing its insurance requirements for freelance solicitors without giving a reason.
Barrister and solicitor thrown out of profession for sex offences
A barrister jailed for 10 years for multiple sex offences has been disbarred, while a solicitor convicted of three offences and handed a suspended sentence has been struck off.
Solicitor sanctioned for role in fraudulent transfer of Islamic centre
A solicitor who recklessly facilitated a “dubious transaction” involving an Islamic community centre has been fined £20,000 and given a suspended suspension by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Convicted solicitor MP to face disciplinary tribunal
The Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed today that it is prosecuting MP Fiona Onasanya after she was convicted of perverting the course of justice by lying about a speeding offence.
Solicitor convicted of subletting council home
A solicitor’s conviction for illegally subletting his council flat in London has been upheld after he lost his appeal against a suspended jail sentence. He was living and working as a solicitor in Birmingham.
Insurers “not interested in backing freelance solicitors”
An expert in law firm regulation has said he does not know a single insurer interested in providing indemnity insurance to freelance solicitors, a concern echoed by the Law Society.
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.
