Compliance & Regulation
QC suspended over failure to disclose key evidence to defence
A very senior criminal law QC has been suspended for a year over a decision not to disclose surveillance evidence which ultimately led to a conviction being overturned on appeal.
Complaints about SRA rise on back of major law firm closure
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been hit by a wave of complaints relating to its closure of law firm consolidator Kingly Solicitors in the summer of 2020.
Tribunals agree to “deterrent” sanctions for sexual and racial misconduct
The disciplinary tribunals for solicitors and barristers have agreed to impose “deterrent” sanctions for sexual and racial misconduct and other forms of discrimination, bullying or harassment.
IBA project to probe role of lawyers as “ethical gatekeepers”
The International Bar Association has launched a project to examine the role of lawyers as “ethical gatekeepers” within wider society and help clarify their ethical responsibilities at work.
Email phishing and ransomware on the rise, SRA warns firms
Email-based fraud is on the rise and is the dominant method criminals use to access law firms’ systems, with ransomware was also increasing and evolving, according to the SRA.
Lawyers “underestimate public appetite” for using technology
Lawyers underestimate the public’s appetite for using technology in the delivery of legal services, a major study by the Legal Services Board and Solicitors Regulation Authority has found.
Solicitor who did not understand her firm’s accounts suspended
A solicitor who told the Solicitors Regulation Authority that she had “fucked up” her law firm’s accounts has been suspended for six months by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Government to keep lawyers out of Russia services ban
The government has indicated that legal services will not be added to the ban on services exports to Russia that encompasses accountancy, management consultancy and PR.
PI claims leaving some clients worse off, Legal Ombudsman warns
Some “moderate” personal injury claims are leaving clients worse off than they were before because solicitors are failing to consider the costs and benefits, the Legal Ombudsman has said.
Court refuses judicial review of SRA and LAA over control order
A non-solicitor has failed in his attempt to judicially review a control order imposed on him by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Legal Aid Agency’s refusal to fund a tribunal challenge to it.
Tribunal strikes off solicitor jailed for property fraud
A solicitor jailed for conspiracy to commit property frauds has now been struck off, while issuing a statement from prison that he would maintain his innocence “until my demise”.
“Long haul to recover” – BSB counts cost of cyber-attack
A malicious cyber-attack on the Bar Standards Board a month ago – for the fourth time in a year – has proved “catastrophic” for the regulator, a meeting of its governing board heard yesterday.
Supreme Court maintains SRA costs protection for failed prosecutions
The Supreme Court has upheld the principle that costs should only be awarded against the Solicitors Regulation Authority in unsuccessful prosecutions where there is good reason to do so.
Rebuke for partner who took trainee to strip club
A male City partner who added to a female trainee’s discomfort at being taken to a strip club during a work event by putting his arm around her waist has been rebuked.
Solicitor used firm’s client account to administer family finances
A veteran solicitor has been fined for administering her family’s finances through her firm’s client account over 18 years and using it “as an overdraft facility for her family”.
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.
