Compliance & Regulation
Restrictions on compliance roles “will harm access to justice”
Preventing the owners of law firms from being compliance officers could lead to “additional regulatory expenses” which will be passed onto clients, the Law Society has warned.
High-powered Court of Appeal gears up to hear Mazur
Master of the Rolls Lord Justice Vos, Chancellor of the High Court Lord Justice Birss and Lady Justice Andrews will today hear the Mazur appeal.
Judge refers barrister to BSB for including “false fact” in particulars
The High Court has referred a direct access barrister to the Bar Standards Board for signing a statement of truth that pleaded a false allegation of fact.
Rapson: Time for the SRA to go “back to basics”
The SRA’s new chief executive has pledged a ‘back to basics’ drive that will see it focus on its core responsibilities and try and avoid having to take enforcement action.
Solicitor struck off for extreme pornography conviction
A solicitor has been struck off after being convicted of distributing an indecent image of a child and possessing extreme pornography.
Dismay as HMRC lays out register plan for conveyancers
Conveyancers have expressed severe disappointment that the government is not shifting on its controversial plan that will require them to register as tax advisers with HMRC.
Ombudsman boss set to swap housing for legal services
The current housing ombudsman, Richard Blakeway, is set to become chair of the Office for Legal Complaints, which is the board of the Legal Ombudsman.
Senior partner suspended over drunken conduct towards four women
A male senior partner who made inappropriate sexual remarks to four more junior female colleagues while drunk at his firm’s Christmas party has been suspended for a year.
Concerns about solicitors reported to SRA hit new high
The rise in the number of concerns about solicitors reported to the Solicitors Regulation Authority is accelerating and will have a knock-on effect on investigations.
“Come and join us”, CLC tells conveyancing and probate specialists
Solicitors’ firms specialising in conveyancing and probate should know there is an alternative to the SRA, the chief executive of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has said.
Litigation begins to fly between SRA and Axiom Ince insurer
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is being sued by Axiom Ince’s insurer in two sets of proceedings – and is making a claim of its own against the insurer, it emerged yesterday.
Conveyancing regulator kicks off referral fee review
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has begun its review of referral fees in the profession but suggested the regulation of estate agents would help deal with concerns about them.
Strike-off for solicitor who fabricated employment tribunal document
An in-house lawyer who lied to Leeds Employment Tribunal and fabricated a notice of a hearing at another tribunal to secure an adjournment has been struck off.
SRA: Client money missing in “potential fraud” at PM Law
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has uncovered a “potential fraud” at PM Law – which collapsed suddenly a fortnight ago – and client money is missing, it confirmed today.
Coroner struck off for underplaying allegations made against him
A solicitor coroner has been struck off for underplaying the seriousness of a criminal investigation he was facing when reporting it to the Chief Coroner’s Office.
Blog
Why is Andrew Malkinson still paying for a crime he didn’t commit?
Like many in my profession and beyond, I have been moved by the case of Andrew Malkinson, the man who spent 17 years in prison for an awful crime he did not commit.
What is tech bloat and why is it a problem for law firms?
Too many law firms are adopting shiny new tech without first retiring their legacy systems, causing duplication and unnecessary costs.
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
