Compliance & Regulation
Don’t kick transparency rules into long grass, SRA told
The Solicitors Regulation Authority must publish a timeline setting out when it will resume work on the transparency rules for law firms.
Law firm COFA barred for transferring funds from client account
The COFA of an eight-office Home Counties law firm shut down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority earlier this year has been barred from the profession.
Solicitor who abandoned firm suspended for 18 months
A personal injury solicitor who abandoned his firm whilst struggling with health issues and addiction – leaving it to be run by his office manager – has been suspended.
Solicitor used client money to keep within overdraft
A veteran solicitor who admitted billing clients for work he had not done to avoid his firm exceeding its overdraft has been struck off.
SRA urged to consider fee reductions for legal aid firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority should consider reductions for legal aid firms if it goes ahead with plans for a 29%, or £25m, increase in its funding.
Rebuke for law firm that failed to perform undertaking for years
A South London law firm that failed to perform an undertaking given during a property transaction for nearly two and a half years has been rebuked by the SRA.
SRA unveils first two prosecutions from Post Office scandal
The first two solicitors to face the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) for misconduct linked to the Post Office scandal have been named.
Study highlights personal cost to in-house lawyers of saying ‘no’
In-house lawyers can pay a heavy price when saying ‘no’ to their employers, especially given the “sometimes horrifying level of toxicity” of corporate workplaces.
Law firm self-reports to SRA over failed private prosecution
A high-profile law firm has reported itself to the Solicitors Regulation Authority after the Chief Magistrate strongly criticised its role in a failed private prosecution.
Court of Appeal reinstates Legal Ombudsman finding against law firm
The Court of Appeal has reinstated a Legal Ombudsman decision that a law firm failed to adequately assess a client’s capacity and should pay her compensation.
Third of barristers face regular ethical challenges
A third of barristers face regular ethical issues and challenges in their practices but they benefit from “a solid system of training and support”, research has found.
BSB suspends ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan
The Bar Standards Board has suspended Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, two years after allegations were made against him.
Judge refers KC for contempt hearing over closing speech
The KC accused of not following court directions in his closing speech has been referred to a presiding judge to consider contempt proceedings.
Strike-off for solicitor who fabricated emails and blamed secretary
A solicitor who fabricated emails in a way that pinned the blame for a missed deadline on his secretary has been struck off.
“Partisan” solicitor gave woman’s contact details to ex-partner
A family solicitor who was “unnecessarily partisan” in acting for a father has been fined for trying to force the mother to reveal where she and her children lived.
Blog
When AI becomes a line on the client’s bill
On 23 June, Legora changed how it charges. The platform announced that its most capable product was moving away from a flat per-seat licence fee to consumption-based pricing
Which legal AI will still matter in 12 months?
Four years ago, when senior partners asked me which legal AI they should buy, I would have walked them through a vendor comparison. Now I tell them the question is wrong.
Supreme Court redraws line between member and employee in LLPs
For anyone advising professional services firms on LLP structuring, and of course for those in LLPs themselves, last week’s Supreme Court ruling is an essential read.
