Compliance & Regulation
Lawyers “not listening” to ethnic minority clients
Many ethnic minority consumers of legal services do not feel they are being listened to or understood by their lawyers, research for the Legal Services Consumers Panel has found.
Firm rebuked for acting on both sides of property transaction
A law firm which acted for both sides in a property transaction without obtaining their consent has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
LSB launches investigation into dispute between CILEX and its regulator
The Legal Services Board has launched an investigation into the disputes between CILEX and its regulatory arm, saying there has been a “breakdown of trust” between the two.
Legal 500 entries, eBay and air miles – bans for City law firm staff
A senior business development executive who misled her law firm employer that its Legal 500 submissions had been made is among bans from the profession issued to City firm staff.
Grand National fraudster struck off as a solicitor
A solicitor convicted of seven counts of fraud, involving goods worth £10,600 – including fireworks and tickets for the Grand National – has been struck off.
SRA earmarks £550,000 for one-off cost-of-living payment to staff
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has put aside up to £550,000 to give staff a one-off pay boost to help with the cost-of-living crisis, it has emerged.
SRA struggling to keep hold of anti-money laundering staff
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is facing “challenges” in retaining staff in its anti-money laundering team, in part because it cannot compete with private sector salaries.
Incorrect precedent led to wrong ground rent advice for 115 clients
A solicitor who gave 115 clients the wrong advice about the ground rent provisions in the leases of properties they were buying – because of an incorrect precedent – has been fined £15,000.
BSB steps up anti-bullying work but says Bar culture must change
The Bar Standards Board is to step up efforts to encourage more reporting of bullying and harassment but says ultimately the onus is on the Bar to change its culture.
“No appetite” among law firms for transparency quality mark
There is “no real appetite” among consumer law firms for an accreditation scheme or other recognition denoting the quality of their transparency, a report has found.
Profession backs SIF but SRA “can save £500k” with new scheme
The majority of respondents to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s discussion paper on post-six-year run-off cover supported retaining the Solicitors Indemnity Fund, it has emerged.
City solicitor avoids jail after criminal contempt finding
A senior City partner who told a client to “burn” a private messaging app after it was served with a search order has avoided jail for criminal contempt of court, in part because of the impact on his career.
Pass rates – and racial disparities – steady in second sitting of SQE1
The results for the second sitting of SQE1 – part of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination – show the exact same pass rate as the first, and the continuing racial disparity.
SRA allows struck-off solicitor to join firm after opposing return to roll
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has allowed a struck-off solicitor to work for a law firm, having successfully opposed his bid to return to the roll earlier this year.
Solicitor had cannabis at courthouse to help with Covid anxiety
A solicitor caught with cannabis in a court building, which he said he had to calm his anxiety after the start of lockdown in 2020, has been censured for his misconduct.
Blog
The trade-off mid-sized firm partners think they’re making
Most of the partners I talk to describe the same tension. They want the firm to run efficiently and hit its numbers, but they also want their people to feel supported, developed and fairly treated.
Communication as the core of client care in conveyancing
How a conveyancer approaches client care – particularly in relation to communication – can be the greatest differentiator for the success of a conveyancing firm.
Why brilliant lawyers sometimes fail
A question that often strikes a chord with partners in law firms is this: why is it that individuals who excel in one role sometimes struggle when promoted into another?
Reports
Associates
