Compliance & Regulation
Rebuke for senior partner who used client account for personal matter
The senior partner of a London law firm has been rebuked for using its client account as a banking facility to deal with a personal matter.
SRA warns against making law firms take “remedial action” on EDI
A proposed rule requiring law firms to take “remedial action” to address disparities in equality, diversity and inclusion goes too far, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned.
Scotland: English invasion “shows need for urgent ABS action”
The recent entry of two English ABSs into Scotland highlights the need for urgent action to allow non-lawyer ownership there, a campaign group has argued.
Man struck off and jailed for fraud refused return to roll of solicitors
A man struck off as a solicitor 18 years ago and then jailed for fraud has failed in his bid to rejoin the profession.
SRA warns of potential cost to profession of role in ILCA scheme
Solicitors may be faced with higher costs if the government wants the SRA involved in managing an Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme, it has warned.
Third Daily Mail sting solicitor cleared of misconduct
All three solicitors accused by the Daily Mail of offering to help an undercover reporter concoct false asylum claims have now been cleared of misconduct.
Case for review of reserved activities is growing, says new LSB chief
The case for a review of the list of reserved legal activities “is growing, and we intend to make it”, the new chief executive of the Legal Services Board has said.
Solicitor who misappropriated £1m from firm is struck off
A solicitor who misappropriated £1m from his law firm and forged bank records to cover it up has been struck off.
Solicitor who lied in meeting “was protecting client”
A solicitor who knowingly lied in a meeting has escaped being struck off because a tribunal accepted that he did so to protect his client.
Largest law firms continue to lag behind in partnership diversity
The country’s largest law firms continue to lag behind the rest of the profession in promoting women and ethnic minority solicitors to partner, authoritative new figures have shown.
ILCA scheme “should take all interest” on pooled client accounts
The government’s proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme will be “an international outlier” if it takes only 75% of the interest from pooled accounts.
LSB member resigns to speak out over attack on jury trial
A member of the Legal Services Board has resigned so that she can speak out against the government’s proposals to curb jury trials.
Barrister’s claim against Neidle ruled first statutory SLAPP
A barrister’s £8m libel and malicious falsehood claim against high-profile tax lawyer Dan Neidle was yesterday found a statutory SLAPP, the first time a court has made such a declaration.
“We have a duty” – solicitor calls on profession to help PM Law’s clients
A solicitor helping former litigation clients of PM Law has called on others to take on cases – and for defendant solicitors not to take advantage of the situation.
SRA: “Significant progress” on Post Office disciplinary action
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has made “significant progress” with its investigations into the Post Office scandal – but still cannot say when disciplinary action may start.
Blog
When AI becomes a line on the client’s bill
On 23 June, Legora changed how it charges. The platform announced that its most capable product was moving away from a flat per-seat licence fee to consumption-based pricing
Which legal AI will still matter in 12 months?
Four years ago, when senior partners asked me which legal AI they should buy, I would have walked them through a vendor comparison. Now I tell them the question is wrong.
Supreme Court redraws line between member and employee in LLPs
For anyone advising professional services firms on LLP structuring, and of course for those in LLPs themselves, last week’s Supreme Court ruling is an essential read.
