Compliance & Regulation
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.
Solicitor jailed for contempt after defying SRA court orders
A high-profile solicitor has been jailed for contempt of court after defying two court orders to hand over her practice’s files to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Junior solicitor at SRA’s lawyers struck off for misleading client
A solicitor at Capsticks, the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s external lawyers, has been struck off for lying to a client and the firm about progress on a file.
In-house lawyer struck off after child pornography conviction
A former in-house solicitor at NatWest has been struck off for child pornography convictions after he was found by police with 15,000 indecent images and videos.
CILEX member permanently excluded after fraud convictions
A member of CILEX has been permanently excluded from the institute following her convictions for fraud and providing unqualified immigration advice.
LPC pass rate holds up despite pandemic
The pass rate for legal practice course students was virtually unchanged for the academic year ending in the summer of 2020 despite the pandemic, new figures have shown.
Mishcon de Reya hit with big fine for anti-money laundering failures
Mishcon De Reya – the leading London firm heading for a stock market listing this year – has agreed to pay a fine of £232,500 over multiple breaches of anti-money laundering rules.
Bar Standards Board lacks “capability, capacity and resources”
The Bar Standards Board lacks access to “sufficient capability, capacity and resources”, the Legal Services Board said yesterday in its annual review of all the legal regulators’ performance.
Scottish ABSs to go live with professional majority ownership – for now
The Law Society of Scotland has been authorised to regulate licensed legal services providers, the equivalent of ABSs, more than 10 years after the law allowing for them came into force.
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
