Compliance & Regulation
SRA could ban ‘no win, no fee’ label in volume claims shake-up
A ban on using the term ‘no win, no fee’ and enhanced oversight of law firms are among ideas put forward by the SRA to make the high-volume consumer claims market work better.
SDT: Top libel firm instructed “in furtherance of fraud”
Top media law firm Carter-Ruck was instructed “in furtherance of fraud” by cryptocurrency scam OneCoin and its co-founder Dr Ruja Ignatova, the SDT said this week.
HMRC urged to exclude solicitors from adviser registration scheme
HMRC needs to exclude solicitors from legislation requiring tax advisers who interact with it on behalf of clients to register and meet minimum standards, the Law Society has argued.
Unqualified law firm staff cannot conduct litigation, says court
Unqualified employees of law firms can support a solicitor in conducting litigation – but cannot conduct litigation under the supervision of a solicitor, the High Court has ruled.
Reprimand for legal aid solicitor over cash paid in car park
A veteran solicitor who received £6,000 in cash from a legally aided client’s brother-in-law in a car park has been cleared of breaching legal aid rules.
Barrister referred to BSB for misleading tribunal with ChatGPT
A barrister who used ChatGPT to draft grounds of appeal for the Upper Tribunal that included a fake case reference, and then failed to admit it, has been referred to the BSB.
Solicitor “did not perceive risk” of failing to witness PoA properly
A solicitor who failed to properly witness a power of attorney during the pandemic has received a suspended suspension.
FCA steps up campaign to warn consumers off law firms and CMCs
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched a £1m campaign to tell motor finance customers that they do not need to use a claims management company or law firm.
High-profile ABS owner cleared of wrongdoing over payments
The man who founded now-defunct Stobart Barristers and then bought two well-known criminal law firms, has been cleared of any wrongdoing around his business’s insolvency.
SDT makes order against Spanish lawyer after jurisdiction challenge
A former Spanish partner of City firm Ashurst has failed in a challenge to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal’s jurisdiction in assessing his inappropriate conduct towards two female colleagues.
SDT clears newly qualified solicitor in “chaotic” firm
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed all allegations against a newly qualified solicitor working in “a chaotic operational and management structure”.
Women barristers “disproportionately affected” by new complaints rule
Women will be “disproportionately adversely affected” by plans to introduce mandatory reporting by barristers of any complaints barristers receive, the Bar Council has warned.
Property owned by ex-wife of convicted solicitor sold
The SFO has secured £1.1m from the sale of a house following the first unexplained wealth order, issued against the ex-wife of the solicitor behind the Axiom Legal Financing Fund fraud.
Suspension for managing partner who fabricated client-care letter
A managing partner who fabricated a client-care letter and backdated it has been suspended for 12 months, after an allegation of dishonesty was dropped.
“Too many examples of judicial bullying,” says Lady Chief Justice
The Lady Chief Justice has acknowledged that a minority of judges fail to behave with the professionalism and courtesy expected of them.
Blog
Small steps, big impact: how SME law firms are making legal tech work
For SME law firms, the priority is turning the potential of tech into measurable impact: success is driven not just by the technology, but by how firms approach planning and implementation.
Why housing disrepair claims against councils have leapt by nearly 400%
Housing disrepair claims against councils have surged dramatically in recent years, with some areas reporting increases approaching a staggering 400%.
Client accounts: Opportunity, obligation and the risks in between
The profitability gap between well-run firms and the rest is not primarily a function of size, location or practice area – it is a function of financial management.
