Compliance & Regulation
AML changes will heap “significant compliance burdens” on firms
Government changes to anti-money laundering rules around pooled client accounts could cause “significant and uncertain compliance burdens” for law firms.
Strike-off for solicitor who gave SDT false statement of means
A solicitor who completed a “false and misleading” statement of means for a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearing has been struck off.
Hacked law firm and barristers named in second wave of LeO decisions
The Legal Ombudsman has today published 10 of its final decisions in full, only the second release of public interest findings, and names barristers for the first time.
Solicitor fined for letting down clients over off-plan investments
A solicitor who failed to advise clients on the risks of off-plan, buyer-led investment schemes has been fined £17,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Mazur ruling already being cited in court, senior judge reveals
The Senior Costs Judge has revealed that the Mazur case has already been cited before him and suggested that legal professional privilege could be a problem when dealing with the argument.
LPC pass rate slumps as course winds down
Pass rates on the legal practice course slumped from 57% to 42% in the year to 31 August 2024, newly released figures from the Solicitors Regulation Authority have revealed.
Veteran solicitor suspended for year over accounts chaos
A veteran solicitor who said she was wrong to continue running her firm after the death of her husband – who worked with her in the business – has been suspended for accounts rule breaches.
High Court: Solicitor “turned blind eye” to money laundering concerns
A partner at a London law firm “dishonestly assisted” in misappropriating a company’s funds by turning a blind eye to money laundering issues raised by property transactions, the High Court has ruled.
SQE provider pass rates “must be published as soon as possible”
The interim chief executive of the Legal Services Board has called on the Solicitors Regulation Authority to publish data on SQE pass rates by provider “as soon as possible”.
Advertising watchdog upholds complaints against group action law firms
The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld complaints against three law firms over misleading websites and online advertising for group actions.
SRA checking if it gave others wrong advice like in Mazur case
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is checking if it provided any other law firms with incorrect advice on whether non-authorised people can conduct litigation.
SDT removes “otiose” restriction on law firm director
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has removed an “otiose” condition imposed only last October on a director of a law firm that prevented him from holding a compliance role.
SRA under pressure as reports about solicitors spiral upwards
The number of reports about solicitors received by the regulator has risen by more than a quarter this year and is set to have a significant impact on its performance.
SRA to keep hands off client account interest – for now
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has put work on any changes to client account – and the interest solicitors earn on it – on hold until the second half of 2026.
Law Society of Scotland delays ABS work for another two years
The Law Society of Scotland has announced a two-year delay in work to introduce alternative business structures – which will take the wait since they were first given the green light to 17 years.
Blog
Is competition in the legal sector stifling innovation?
As the legal sector’s competitive landscape continues to evolve, Nobel laureates remind us that innovation is not inevitable,and that competition may not always be an incentive to innovate.
What high-performing consumer claims firms get right
Recurring concerns about parts of the volume claims sector show that the gap between well-run firms and those struggling to manage volume effectively is widening.
The SRA’s 2025 AML report: What law firms need to know
The SRA has released its 2024-25 anti-money laundering report and the scale of supervision is striking – it carried out 935 proactive engagements in the year to 5 April 2025.
