Compliance & Regulation
Solicitor “failed to notice” client’s judicial review had been struck out
A solicitor who admitted “not having noticed” that his client’s judicial review had been struck out and not working on the case for almost two years has been fined £12,500.
Race disparity remains as first SQE results are unveiled
The results for the first ever Solicitors Qualifying Examination assessment showed that, as with the legal practice course, race is a major factor in success. Some 53% passed in all.
High-profile City litigator fails in appeal against strike-off
A former high-profile City litigator has failed in his appeal against being struck off for using a client’s divorce settlement to fund his ventures to pursue digital dispute resolution.
Law firms helping oligarchs suppress criticism “a cancer”, says MP
The government needs to “end the cancer” of high-end law firms selling “intimidation services” to oligarchs and others trying to use the legal system to silence journalists and critics, MPs heard yesterday.
Lawyer jailed after defying order to hand over firm’s files to SRA
A lawyer has been jailed for 13 months after showing a “brazen disregard” for his regulator by failing to hand over his firm’s files to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Partners fined for letting non-lawyer take control of group litigation
Two partners in a former City law firm have each been fined £7,500 for allowing a non-lawyer to have sole and unsupervised conduct of multi-jurisdictional group litigation involving 1,500 clients.
Lawyers hits back at attacks by international bodies on privilege
Multiple international bodies are seeking to undermine both legal professional privilege and the independent regulation of the profession, a global lawyers group has warned.
Solicitor struck off for taking advantage of elderly client
A solicitor who attempted to sell an elderly client’s house to her own civil partner at an undervalue, and was the sole beneficiary of the client’s will that she drafted, has been struck off.
MoJ threatened with fine over huge data request backlog
The Information Commissioner has threatened to fine the Ministry of Justice if it fails to deal with thousands of outstanding subject access requests.
Barrister disbarred for false judicial review promise
A non-practising barrister has been disbarred for dishonesty, after falsely persuading a client he would bring judicial review proceedings.
Solicitor who “accidentally bought run-off cover” struck off
The solicitor at the centre of a collapsed dishonesty prosecution in 2019 has been struck off for dishonesty after a second prosecution for new offences, including practising without insurance.
Conveyancers might be forced to buy cyber-insurance in PII rejig
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has mooted requiring law firms to purchase standalone cyber-insurance as “evolving forms of cyber-risk” become more complex.
City firm boss and general counsel join slimmed-down SRA board
A heavyweight City solicitor and leading Welsh in-house lawyer have been named as new members of what is now the smallest-ever board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Struck-off solicitor accuses SDT of Islamophobia in bid to return to profession
An ex-solicitor who accused the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal of Islamophobia for not having Muslim panel members when striking him off in 2019 has failed in his application to be restored to the roll.
New barrister-run litigation firm chooses SRA regulation
An alternative business structure specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration and led by barristers has opted for regulation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Blog
AI in family law – drawing the line for clients and lawyers
AI is becoming increasingly intertwined with family law. Clients are using it to draft initial enquiries, prepare statements and, in some cases, to support themselves as litigants in person.
Why AI and leadership choices will define law firm profitability in 2026
Despite rapid advances in legal technology, the future of law will not be determined by software alone. It will be shaped by leadership decisions.
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.
