Compliance & Regulation
High Court rejects challenge to foreign in-house lawyers’ privilege
Legal advice privilege extends to communications with foreign lawyers working in-house even if they are not recognised or regulated as “professional lawyers”, the High Court has ruled.
Solicitor used jailed client’s money to prop up firm
A criminal law solicitor who used money from a jailed client for an appeal to stabilise his firm’s “precarious financial position” has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
“Caring” solicitor undone by accounting system
A “passionate, caring and in many respects competent” solicitor, whose firm got into a financial mess in part because of the accounting software she used, has escaped removal from practice.
CMA unveils progress review of competition in legal market
The Competition and Markets Authority today announced a three-month review of the progress made in improving competition in the legal services sector for consumers and small businesses.
SRA fines leading firm for money laundering check failures
Well-known law firm Taylor Vinters has been fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for failing to undertake proper money laundering checks on millions of pounds paid into its client account.
Solicitor launches unregulated nanotech firm
A solicitor has launched what he believes is the first legal consultancy in the UK devoted entirely to nanotech firms, the latest to use the rules that allow solicitors to practise from unregulated firms.
“Extremely drunk” senior partner touched and kissed paralegal
The “extremely drunk” senior partner of a London law firm has been fined £10,000 for touching a paralegal on the bottom and kissing her on the neck while sitting next to her in a bar.
Gary Senior case: “An extraordinary abuse of position,” says SDT
The former managing partner of Baker McKenzie’s London office committed “an extraordinary abuse of position” by sexually harassing a junior fee-earner in his hotel room, the SDT has ruled.
Climate protest lawyers block Chancery Lane
Lawyers for Extinction Rebellion blocked Chancery Lane outside the Law Society on Friday to highlight concerns about the potential impact on lawyers’ careers of being arrested for peaceful protests.
LeO presses ahead with plan to publish decisions in full
The Legal Ombudsman is to press ahead with plans to publish its full decisions, as well as annual reviews of the most complained-about lawyers and firms, it has decided.
Staff the main risk as firms report millions stolen by cybercriminals
Most incidents of cybercrime suffered by law firms are due to individual errors and misunderstanding rather than systems being hacked, research by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has found.
Lawyers for XR to perform “arrestable action” outside Law Society
Lawyers for Extinction Rebellion will perform an “arrestable action” outside the Law Society today to push the SRA to confirm lawyers’ rights to engage in non-violent protest without repercussions.
PII underwriters warn solicitors after failing to change terms
Indemnity insurers have warned solicitors that they will suffer the consequences of their regulator maintaining that policies cannot be cancelled for non-payment of premiums or excesses.
Licensed conveyancers attack CILEx deal with accountants
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has attacked a planned partnership between CILEx Regulation and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Legal profession must be “more open about menopause”
More openness about the menopause is needed, the Law Society said yesterday as it released guidance on experiencing menopause in the legal profession.
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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