Compliance & Regulation
“We messed up” – apologetic SRA to be censured for SSB failures
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has apologised for failures in its oversight of SSB Law and is set to be censured for them by the Legal Services Board.
SSB report: What went wrong and how to avoid a repeat
We summarise the key findings of the Carson McDowell report into the SRA’s handling of SSB and the recommendations it makes to avoid a repeat.
SSB report: The timeline of missed opportunities
At the heart of the report into the SRA’s handling of SSB Law is the argument that the regulator missed opportunities to act earlier. This is what happened and when.
Abuse survivors “should get legal aid to tackle SLAPPs”
Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the UK should get legal aid to defend themselves against SLAPPs, a report has argued, calling also for more action by legal regulators.
Ban for trainee lawyer who helped fugitive brother flee UK
A trainee property lawyer who helped her brother flee the country so he could avoid prosecution for murder has been disqualified from working for law firms.
Head of family law cleared of serious wrongdoing over decree nisi
A senior family lawyer has been cleared of dishonesty and lack of integrity over an application for a decree nisi that was not made and remained outstanding for a year.
Mazur: LSB to review past guidance issued on litigation rights
The LSB is to review how all the regulators and representative bodies have “ensured that information on conducting litigation was accurate and reliable”, in the wake of the Mazur ruling.
Solicitor who did not disclose “catastrophic” evidence struck off
A personal injury solicitor who withheld a piece of evidence he knew would be “catastrophic” to his client’s case has been struck off.
“No incentive” for private equity investors to dilute firms’ ethics
There is no reason why a law firm backed by private equity would be “less professionally ethical” than one owned by its lawyer-partners, a regulatory specialist has argued.
Strike-off for solicitor who misled client, court and law firm
A solicitor who misled her divorce client, the Family Court and the owner of her law firm – leading to the client being issued with a penal notice – has been struck off.
BSB goes ahead with new complaints rules for barristers
The Bar Standards Board has decided to go ahead with rule changes requiring barristers to tell it every year, via their chambers, about any complaints they receive.
Mazur: Non-authorised person “should not be client’s main contact”
Our round-up of developments on the Mazur ruling includes a warning that law firms should consider prohibiting non-authorised staff from being clients’ main point of contact.
Litigation partner’s errors “did not amount to misconduct”
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed all allegations against a commercial litigation partner whose “shortcomings did not amount to misconduct”.
FCA to steer motor finance consumers away from legal action
The Financial Conduct Authority is to discourage consumers from pursuing motor finance claims in court, even if they might recover more damages.
Police filmed solicitor acting for both complainant and defendant
A criminal defence lawyer who was filmed by police advising the complainant in a domestic abuse case while acting for the person accused of headbutting her has been suspended.
Blog
Legal director: an alternative to partnership
Firms are increasingly acknowledging the need for alternative senior roles – positions that offer influence and recognition without the obligations of ownership.
It’s time for law firms to ask tougher questions
For years, many law firms have treated ID verification as a box-ticking exercise. Run a liveness check, match a face to a document and move on. But that is no longer good enough.
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
