Compliance & Regulation
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.
Law firm owner rebuked for caseworker supervision failure
A solicitor who failed to supervise an immigration caseworker in a matter which led the High Court to refer his firm to the Solicitors Regulation Authority has been rebuked.
Greens urge disciplinary action against lawyer MPs over rule of law threats
The Green Party has called for disciplinary action against solicitor and barrister MPs who vote for legislation which disregards the rule of law.
Traditional partnerships dying out as ABSs top 1,000
The traditional partnership is now the least popular form of law firm structure, while alternative business structures now make up more than 10% of all practices, new figures have shown.
BSB prosecutions of striking barristers “unlikely to succeed”
The Bar Standards Board would be “ill advised” to take disciplinary action against barristers who take part in the strike action over legal aid rates, as dozens of QCs complain about the Lord Chief Justice.
Blog
The SRA and privileged material – this is not the end
All disclosure to the SRA must now exclude privileged material, which will not only hamper investigations but also cause additional work for firms providing disclosure.
Legal Ombudsman fee reforms risk widening the justice gap
Charging firms simply because a complaint moves through the process weakens the present connection between fees and fault. It could also encourage firms to settle for commercial reasons.
Why upfront information could transform home buying
The success of upfront property information will depend on more than simply making the information available.
Reports
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