Compliance & Regulation
High-profile solicitor’s SDT fined upped because of role at tribunal
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal rejected a lower fine for high-profile solicitor Karen Todner, in part because she was the tribunal’s vice-president at the time of her misconduct.
Barrister convicted of sexual assault wins appeal against disbarment
A male barrister who sexually assaulted a female colleague and then asked her to lie to help him cover his tracks with his partner has won his appeal against disbarment.
Law firm reported to SRA for “clear breach” of SLAPP guidance
The Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to investigate a “clear breach” of its recent guidance over SLAPPs, lawyers for the founder of investigative website Bellingcat have said.
Solicitor rebuked over referrals from genealogists
A solicitor has been rebuked for taking referrals from a genealogy business that acquired clients in a way that a law firm would be prohibited from doing.
Solicitor fined for failing to pay thousands in counsel’s fees
A solicitor who has failed to pay thousands of pounds in outstanding fees to counsel has been fined by the SRA, with others fined for accounts and transparency rules breaches.
Paralegal jailed for stealing £438k from law firm to feed gambling habit
A former paralegal at national law firm BLM has been jailed for three years and three months after pleading guilty to stealing £438,000 from the firm to feed his gambling habit.
MPs and peers urge bigger fines for lawyers who break AML rules
MPs and peers have called for “a radical overhaul” of anti-money laundering supervision, with regulators of lawyers urged to issue wrongdoers with “bigger, more public” fines.
Plan to reduce time limit for complaints to LeO “goes too far”
A proposal by the Legal Ombudsman to cut the time limit for consumers to bring a complaint from six years to one “goes too far”, the Bar Standards Board has argued.
Solicitor who caused 25 claims on compensation fund struck off
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has struck off a solicitor whose conduct has led to 25 claims on the SRA Compensation Fund totalling £750,000 from conveyancing clients.
Law firms selling funeral plans “may need FCA regulation”
Law firms selling pre-paid funeral plans as intermediaries may need to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned.
SRA disciplinary decisions could stay in public domain for longer
Details of disciplinary and other regulatory action taken by the Solicitors Regulation Authority could be published for longer than the current three years to combat misinformation online.
Listed compliance company targets law firms with acquisition
Listed company Marlowe has made Compliance Office – a business that advises law firms on compliance with Solicitors Regulation Authority rules – the latest addition to its fast-growing legal arm.
Judge tells regulators to use summary processes against vexatious litigants
Legal regulators need to have summary processes in place to deal with vexatious litigants who use their procedures to continue a “proxy war” against lawyers, a High Court judge has said.
Solicitor struck off for sexually assaulting friend’s wife
A solicitor has been struck off for sexually assaulting the wife of a “long-term friend” as she slept, after drinking downstairs with her husband who fell asleep.
SRA budget to rise £5.3m this year as cost of living crisis bites
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to increase its budget by £5.3m in the coming year, with staff costs and the Solicitors Qualifying Exam the main drivers.
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
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