Compliance & Regulation
LeO directs law firm to pay £49k in latest public interest decisions
The Legal Ombudsman directed London law firm Laytons to pay £49,000 in compensation to a client for failing to register her lease extension in the latest batch of public interest decisions.
Sports solicitor fails in challenge to SRA intervention
A High Court judge has rejected a high-profile sports lawyer’s challenge to an intervention in his law firm by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
SRA highlights spike in conduct complaints amid “outsourcing ruse”
Misconduct reports about solicitors have risen 27% in the past year – and 58% over two years – the Solicitors Regulation Authority has revealed.
Financial Services Bill will be vehicle for AML switch to FCA
The government is set to legislate to transfer the anti-money laundering supervision of lawyers to the Financial Conduct Authority, it has emerged.
Judge refers solicitors to SRA for fake AI-generated cases
A circuit judge has referred two solicitors to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for submitting hallucinated cases to the court.
“Significant new evidence” in employment judge misconduct case
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office has agreed to reinvestigate allegations of bullying and intimidation against Employment Judge Philip Lancaster, in light of “significant new evidence”.
Tribunal clears law clinic solicitor of trying to mislead employer
An immigration solicitor has been cleared of misleading her employer over her conduct of an asylum case after a three-day Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearing.
King’s Speech: No litigation funding, SLAPPs or AML reform
The King’s Speech yesterday was notable as much for what was not in it as what was, with significant omissions including the promised litigation funding bill.
Barrister who put client’s interests ahead of duty to court disbarred
A barrister who knowingly allowed a judge and opposing party in a family law case to be misled during a hearing has been disbarred for “professional dishonesty”.
Ban for male employee who targeted firm’s young female staff
A facilities assistant at a law firm who targeted young female staff with “inappropriate” gifts and messages has been barred from working in the profession.
CA overturns referral of KC for contempt hearing over closing speech
The Court of Appeal has set aside a Crown Court judge’s referral of a KC for contempt of court proceedings after finding the High Court did not have the jurisdiction to pursue them.
Good Law Project urges review of BSB decision on gender-critical barrister
The Good Law Project is challenging the Bar Standards Board’s decision to reject its complaint against a barrister over her social media posts about a trans woman.
Row over contempt action against KC for defying judge’s order
Contempt of court proceedings against a KC for a closing speech that allegedly breached the judge’s directions could have a “chilling effect on the Bar”, his set has argued.
Multi-office firm fell into administration after sale fell through
West of England law firm BLB Solicitors was forced into administration after a sale fell through at a late stage, its administrators have revealed.
SRA seeks extra £25m from profession “to fix the foundations”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority today set out the initial cost of fixing its problems – a 29%, or £25m, increase in its funding for the 2026-27 practising year.
Blog
Why is Andrew Malkinson still paying for a crime he didn’t commit?
Like many in my profession and beyond, I have been moved by the case of Andrew Malkinson, the man who spent 17 years in prison for an awful crime he did not commit.
What is tech bloat and why is it a problem for law firms?
Too many law firms are adopting shiny new tech without first retiring their legacy systems, causing duplication and unnecessary costs.
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
