Compliance & Regulation
SRA sanctions another solicitor “unaware” of being partner at firm
A lawyer who claimed she was unaware that she was a law firm’s partner has been sanctioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), two years after another partner said the same.
No cab-rank rule breach – yet – for barrister signatories of eco-resolution
The BSB will not take action against barristers who have committed not to prosecute climate protestors or work for fossil fuel companies – at least until they actually refuse instructions.
SRA rejects Law Society call to levy profession for SIF funds
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has resisted pressure from the Law Society to impose a levy on the profession “as soon as possible” to raise funds for the Solicitors Indemnity Fund.
Disciplinary tribunal condemns Blavo’s “industrial” dishonesty
The dishonesty of John Blavo, whose legal aid firm made £22m of fraudulent claims on public funds, was “committed on an industrial scale”, a tribunal has said.
Solicitor rebuked for multiple rule failures caused in part by Covid
A solicitor who admitted to a “serious breach” of the accounts rules – in part due to the impact of Covid – has escaped with a rebuke from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Profession paying “lip service” to diversity, LSB told
The legal profession pays only “lip service” to diversity and “there is a lack of action or appetite to pursue meaningful change”, a report for the Legal Services Board has suggested.
Newspaper pays top KC “substantial damages” for libel
The Times has apologised to a leading KC and paid her “substantial damages” for alleging that she had wrongly used the cab-rank rule to justify acting in a controversial Cayman Islands case.
SDT lifts restrictions on solicitor who showed “impressive insight”
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has removed conditions on the practising certificate of a former law firm partner who now works remotely from Italy as a consultant.
CILEx Regulation urges reform, not replacement by SRA
CILEx Regulation has set out its case to remain the regulator for chartered legal executives, warning that it is prepared to go to court to clarify whether CILEX has the power to change.
Government “awareness programmes” needed to boost LEI
The government should run “awareness programmes” to educate the public about the benefits of legal expenses insurance, the Association of Consumer Support Organisations has argued.
Price transparency “unlikely to inform decisions”
The emphasis put on price transparency and comparison shopping by the Competition and Markets Authority and adopted by legal regulators, is unlikely to make much difference.
SDT finds City lawyer guilty over obsession with teenage colleague
A City lawyer who shared intimate pictures with a teenage apprentice and ogled her as she spread her legs in a swivel chair in the office was found guilty of multiple charges of misconduct last week.
SRA “spent three years deciding not to take regulatory action”
It took the Solicitors Regulation Authority three years to decide not to take regulatory action against a solicitor, it has emerged.
Cost of practising to rise sharply as SRA and Law Society unveil budgets
Solicitors’ practising fees are set to increase substantially this year, with the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Law Society needing an extra £9.3m to fund their work.
Partner was “blinded” by desire to keep best client
A solicitor who described a property developer currently being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office as his law firm’s “best client” has been fined £45,000 for misconduct.
Blog
Accountability has to live within governance, not with one person
The assumption has long been that a COLP or COFA is personally exposed to the consequences of anti-money laundering breaches.
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
