Compliance & Regulation
Barrister struck off over sexual assault on colleague
A barrister who groped a colleague’s breasts during a night out – for which he was later convicted – and then asked her to lie to help him cover his tracks with his fiancee has been disbarred.
“Slapdash” conveyancer fined £10,000 by SDT
A solicitor who lost sight of who was her client and whose actions in a conveyancing transaction were described as “slapdash” has been fined £10,000.
SRA approves cyber-losses clause despite insurer concerns
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to add a clause on cyber-losses to the minimum terms and conditions of insurance despite concerns expressed by the insurance industry.
City giant to face trial over alleged conflicts of interest
City giant Hogan Lovells only achieved partial success in a bid for summary judgment over complaints that it had multiple conflicts of interest while acting for a Ukrainian tycoon.
Divorce fraud barrister fails in appeal against disbarment
A barrister who deliberately gave the court a wrong address in an effort to obtain a divorce fraudulently has lost his appeal against being disbarred.
LSB approves new regulator for accountant probate providers
The Legal Services Board has approved CILEx Regulation’s application to take over the regulation of probate work carried on by members of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Retired solicitor struck off for falsifying letter in bid to explain rule breach
A 75-year-old solicitor has been struck off after he provided a client with a banking facility for over 20 years and then faked a letter of retainer to cover himself.
SRA leads Agile Nations project to create global legal services market
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is leading a project called the Agile Nations Lawtech Innovation Network aimed at helping to create a global market for legal services.
SRA needs “radical rethink” to change disproportionate focus on BAME solicitors
The Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to rethink its approach radically to tackle the “grimly entrenched” problem of ethnic minority solicitors being over-represented in its enforcement work.
BSB signals tougher approach to transparency rules compliance
Approaching one in 10 chambers admit failing to comply with the Bar Standards Board’s service and price transparency rules, with the regulator now set to toughen up its approach to enforcement.
High Court orders solicitor to hand over firm’s files to SRA
The High Court has ordered a high-profile solicitor to surrender her firm’s files after the Solicitors Regulation Authority closed it down but she refused to co-operate.
Economic crime levy “could impact law firm structures”
Some law firms may have to make structural changes to ameliorate the impact of the government’s economic crime levy, solicitors have warned.
Legal regulators slammed for “lacking expertise” on comparison data
Data already in the public domain cannot easily be adapted to help consumers choose a lawyer, mainly due to failings by legal regulators, according to research.
SDT releases Ecohouse documents to campaign group
The Transparency Task Force has been granted access to a limited number of documents used in Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearings relating to a collapsed Brazilian property investment scheme.
Bar students need more pupillage data to avoid “buyer’s remorse”
Bar students should be given detailed information from chambers about their pupillage criteria to avoid suffering from “buyer’s remorse” when they realise how difficult it is to succeed.
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
