Compliance & Regulation
Insurance and client capability are “main barriers” to unbundling
The availability of professional indemnity insurance and the capability of clients are the main concerns for law firms looking at unbundled services, research has indicated.
Scotland “polarised” on single legal services regulator
Views on whether Scotland should introduce a single legal regulator remain polarised, with consumers backing “radical changes”, while lawyers argue that it would undermine their independence.
Stop advising clients to pay cyber-ransoms, lawyers told
Some lawyers are wrongly advising clients to pay ransoms when they fall victim to cyber-attacks, the National Cyber Security Centre and Information Commissioner’s Office have warned.
Resolution embraces ‘one lawyer, one couple’ approach to divorce
Family lawyers group Resolution is to start promoting the ‘one lawyer, two clients’ model for divorce that both law firms and unregulated providers are starting to offer.
Licensed conveyancer firms face tougher rules on diversity
Law firms regulated by Council for Licensed Conveyancers face new rules designed to make sure they deliver data on staff diversity and report complaints of discrimination and harassment.
High Court criticises SDT for “sweeping anonymity orders”
The High Court has criticised the SDT for taking it upon itself to issue “sweeping anonymity orders” in respect of all the third parties in a case about a solicitor’s social media posts.
Solicitor’s “oversight” saw £68,000 paid to conveyancing fraudster
A law firm owner who fell victim to a conveyancing fraud and transferred £68,000 to a bank account without checking the details has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Firm ordered to pay wasted costs over lack of authority to act
A law firm has been ordered to pay wasted costs of £7,920 for not satisfying itself that the director of a company in deadlock with the other director had the authority to give it instructions.
Rugby and football club boss sanctioned by SDT still “fit and proper” owner
The rugby and football club owner sanctioned by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal last week says he will be able to continue in those roles as he remains a ‘fit and proper person’.
Firm owner and consultant sanctioned for €9m supercar failures
A solicitor failed to supervise an unadmitted consultant who allowed his firm’s client account to be used by a foreign royal as a banking facility in a bid to buy three supercars.
Immigration advice scammer jailed for absconding while on bail
A man who fled to Dubai after he was found guilty of an immigration advice scam has been imprisoned on his return to the UK. He was one of three people convicted of multiple offences.
Complaints about claims management companies continue to fall
The number of complaints about claims management companies continues to fall, the Financial Ombudsman Service says as it consider charging professional representatives to make one.
Government approves increase in SRA’s fining power to £25,000
The government has today approved the increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s fining power, from £2,000 to £25,000, despite opposition from the profession.
Barrister reprimanded for “bullying and aggressive” emails
A non-practising barrister who wrote “bullying and aggressive” emails to a group supporting people with autoinflammatory conditions has been reprimanded by a disciplinary tribunal.
Firm fined for inadequate anti-money laundering controls
A law firm in Telford whose multiple failures raised the risk of it facilitating money laundering and terrorist financing has been fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
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
