Compliance & Regulation
Khan receives second jail term for SRA order contempt
Former solicitor Sophie Khan is heading to jail for a second time for contempt of court after again failing to hand over documents sought by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Unregulated paralegal firm “conducted litigation” in possession claim
A CILEX member running an unregulated business conducted litigation in breach of the Legal Services Act 2007 when she acted on a possession claim, the High Court has ruled.
Solicitor kept £60,000 of client funds as cash in firm’s safe
A solicitor who kept £60,000 of client funds in cash in the firm’s safe has been banned indefinitely from managing law firms.
New Zealand urged to embrace ABSs and independent regulation
A review of legal services in New Zealand has recommended the introduction of alternative business structures and an independent regulator.
Solicitor lost £230k of client money after falling for investment scam
A solicitor who lost £230,000 of a client’s money by moving it into her personal bank account and then investing in a scheme which turned out to be a scam has been struck off.
Bar courses still unaffordable, students tell regulator
Nearly four in five Bar students still regard their courses as unaffordable despite an average drop of £4,700 in fees, research for the Bar Standards Board has found.
New duty on licensed conveyancers to treat customers fairly
An explicit requirement on licensed conveyancers to treat customers fairly has been adopted by their regulator as part of a revised set of ethical standards.
Solicitor “grossly abused his position” to dupe investors
A solicitor sacked by national firm Blake Morgan during his probationary period “grossly abused his position” by duping two investors into handing over money on the basis he was still working there.
Partner secretly worked on deal with his firm on opposite side
An experienced partner who secretly worked on the purchase of a property where his firm was acting for the seller has been fined £32,000 for a lack of integrity.
Solicitor apprenticeships launched for part-qualified legal professionals
The first solicitor apprenticeship scheme has been launched which is specifically designed for paralegals part-way through qualifications with other legal bodies.
SDT in rare split decision over married solicitors’ employment of son
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has issued a rare majority decision over the misconduct of husband and wife solicitors in the employment of their son.
Law Society opposes SRA plan to ban firms being paid upfront
Solicitors Regulation Authority plans to stop law firms taking money for costs in advance of work being done could harm those working on fixed fees, the Law Society has warned.
SRA wins approval to destroy 765,000 files from shut-down firms
The High Court has given the Solicitors Regulation Authority permission to destroy immediately around 765,000 files it is storing after intervening in law firms in recent years.
Barrister misled court into removing child from father
A non-practising barrister whose dishonest submissions to a court caused it to order the removal of a small child from her father has been disbarred.
Blavo to face SDT at last over huge legal aid fraud
The boss of Blavo & Co – the major legal aid firm found by the High Court to have made fraudulent claims on public funds – will finally face the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal this month.
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.
