Compliance & Regulation
Solicitor had “massive holes” in accounts knowledge
A law firm owner who admitted having “massive holes” in her knowledge of the accounts rules has been fined £5,000 after letting a £41,000 shortfall build up on client account.
Solicitor struck off for single incident of “manifest incompetence”
A solicitor whose incompetence enabled the transfer of an elderly man’s property to fraudsters for no consideration has been struck off, even although it was a single incident in a 19-year career.
SRA uses enhanced fining power for the first time with £15,000 penalty
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has used its enhanced fining power for the first time, imposing a £15,000 fine on a solicitor who failed clients subject to deputyship orders.
Barrister jailed for child sex offences disbarred
A barrister convicted of multiple child sex offences last year and jailed for three and a half years has now been disbarred. He did not know the children he had contacted were not real.
MPs back tougher economic crime fines and oversight for lawyers
MPs have backed giving the Solicitors Regulation Authority unlimited fining powers in cases of economic crime, as well as a new regulatory objective for the Legal Services Act.
Bar Council piles pressure on BSB over Dinah Rose case
The Bar Council has taken the unusual step of criticising the Bar Standards Board for its “unacceptable and inexcusable” handling of a complaint against Dinah Rose KC.
Quarter of firms in SRA review of immigration work face disciplinary action
Ten of the 40 law firms that took part in a Solicitors Regulation Authority review of immigration services have been referred for possible disciplinary action after it found “significant shortcomings”.
BSB apologises to top KC over handling of complaint against her
The Bar Standards Board has issued an apology to leading silk Dinah Rose for its handling of a complaint against her and suggesting she might have been reckless in her conduct.
Solicitors facing ethical disclosure decisions “need more SRA help”
The SRA’s guidance on disclosing confidential information “inappropriately discourages” lawyers from reporting serious misconduct and risks of harm, it has been claimed.
Solicitor struck off after tribunal refuses to go behind US plea deal
A solicitor convicted in the US of conspiracy to commit securities fraud has been struck off after a tribunal refused his attempt to explain why he signed a plea deal.
Solicitor struck off for misusing client money and unauthorised practice
A veteran solicitor who used client money to alleviate his firm’s financial problems and also misled his insurer that he was authorised to practise when he no longer was, has been struck off.
Shiner faces two-year wait for trial on cold-calling fraud charges
Disgraced human rights lawyer Phil Shiner will have to wait nearly two years for his trial on four allegations of fraud, the Crown Court said on Friday.
“Old school” solicitor used £500,000 of client money to prop up firm
An “old school” solicitor in his late 70s who overcharged three estates and a trust by nearly £500,000 to provide cash flow for his firm has been struck off.
Solicitors to foot £1.2m bill for relocating disciplinary tribunal
Solicitors are to pay an extra £1.2m towards the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in 2023 after its existing landlord pulled the offer of a new lease, meaning it will have to relocate.
Solicitors sanctioned after drugs and dangerous driving convictions
A solicitor who was convicted of drug-driving and possession of cocaine, MDMA and cannabis has been fined £10,000, while another has been rebuked after being convicted of dangerous driving.
Blog
Our vision for 2026: A shared approach to AML
We want to see law firms start taking AML compliance as seriously as it deserves. This means treating it not as a tick-box exercise or a procedural necessity, but as a serious part of company culture.
Why later-life divorce requires a distinct professional framework
Later-life divorce, often described as ‘silver splitter’ or ‘grey divorce’ cases, is no longer a marginal feature of family law practice. It challenges long-standing assumptions about how divorce work is done.
Listening, learning and leading The Solicitor’s Charity with care
As I prepare to hand over the mantle of chair of The Solicitor’s Charity next month, it doesn’t feel like an end. Instead, it feels like a wonderful journey.
