Compliance & Regulation
SRA and BSB pledge to help subpostmasters with legal fees concerns
Legal regulators have pledged to help subpostmasters concerned about fees being charged by lawyers in their claims for compensation over the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Fine for solicitor who failed to engage with SRA and LeO
A solicitor who failed to engage with SRA and Legal Ombudsman investigations – leading to the issue of a statutory notice – has been fined for misconduct.
Investigate “bullying” judge or face judicial review, watchdog told
A group of 10 people is threatening a judicial review against the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office unless it investigates a judge’s alleged misogynistic and bullying behaviour.
Solicitors condemn HMRC plans for “deemed waiver” of privilege
Solicitors have condemned plans by HMRC to introduce a “deemed waiver” of privilege where tax avoidance scheme are marketed as being supported by a legal opinion.
Financial Reporting Council director to take helm at SRA
The executive director of supervision at the Financial Reporting Council has today been named as the new chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Legal Services Board at heart of regulatory failings, says BSB chief
The structure of regulation established by the Legal Services Act 2007 “does not work well”, the outgoing chair of the Bar Standards Board declared last night.
Suspended jail sentence for solicitor over fake pothole claims
A solicitor has been handed a suspended prison sentence for making false claims of damage to his car from potholes.
Solicitors and insurers set to agree definition of ‘unbundled’ services
Work to agree a definition of unbundled legal services with professional indemnity insurers is close to completion as part of efforts to make unbundling easier for solicitors.
Sexual misconduct cases “lead to rise in SDT anonymity requests”
The increasing number of sexual misconduct cases being handled by the SRA and SDT is fuelling a rise in anonymity requests, regulatory lawyers have said.
London arm of US firm rebuked for breaching Russia sanction rules
The London office of a US law firm has been rebuked for breaching the conditions of a Treasury licence to act for sanctioned Russian clients.
Solicitor who changed LPA and cheque “was not dishonest”
A solicitor who changed the terms of a lasting power of attorney and the date on a cheque without the client’s consent did not act dishonestly, the SDT has ruled.
Solicitor diverted client’s damages to company linked to his wife
A solicitor who diverted some of his client’s damages to a rehabilitation company connected to his wife – and created fake invoices that said it had treated the client – has been struck off.
‘Work hard, play hard’ solicitor suspended for groping colleagues
A male solicitor caught up in a ‘work hard, play hard’ culture at the London office of a US law firm has been suspended for a year for two instances of sexually touching female colleagues.
Call for action to help small law firms adopt technology
Tech adoption by small law firms is being held back by cost, uncertainty and a reluctance to invest in systems that quickly become outdated or non-compliant, according to SRA research.
Law Society warns SRA to avoid “knee-jerk responses” on ethics
The Law Society has advised the Solicitors Regulation Authority against “knee-jerk responses” in attempting to tackle the issue of ethical standards in the profession.
Blog
Strong AML controls are meaningless with incomplete data
One expectation as the FCA takes control of anti-money laundering oversight is a move towards more supervision rather than simply writing new rules.
Navigating the legal AI productivity-profitability paradox
Firms are achieving efficiencies through AI, especially in the practice of law. Yet many are struggling to see that reflected in their financial outcomes
Regulation, growth and access to justice: why legal services need a reset
Well-intentioned consumer protections embedded in the regulation of legal services increasingly act as barriers to innovation, competition and access to justice.
