Compliance & Regulation
“Time to act” on scrapping client accounts, consumer panel says
Now is the time for the SRA to take “decisive steps” towards scrapping solicitors’ client accounts, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has said.
Reynolds: Errors over calling myself a solicitor “not a huge deal”
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has apologised for referring to himself as a solicitor but said it was not “a huge deal”, as Reform UK pledged to bring a private prosecution against him.
Solicitor took on mis-selling claims “without understanding them”
A solicitor has been fined for letting her firm run mortgage mis-selling claims when she had “no experience or expertise” and made multiple errors as a result.
SRA reopens case of business secretary calling himself a solicitor
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reopened its investigation into business secretary Jonathan Reynolds describing himself as a solicitor.
Regulatory action against Post Office lawyers “could start this summer”
Both solicitors and barristers involved in the Post Office scandal could start to face disciplinary action by this summer, their regulators have declared.
SRA report calls for major shift in lawyers’ approach to vulnerability
There should be a “fundamental alteration” in the way the legal sector approaches consumer vulnerability, taking an opt-out, rather than opt-in, approach, a study for the SRA has argued.
“Deeply caring” solicitor urged to reflect on professional boundaries
A solicitor has been urged to use a six-month suspension to separate his legal work from the counselling support he provides to sex offender clients, after mixing them led to rule breaches.
SRA must avoid “overzealous” approach to economic crime rules
The new statutory duty on lawyers to promote the “prevention and detection of economic crime” must not trigger an “over-zealous” response by the SRA, the Law Society has warned.
Call for new anti-SLAPP mechanism after “false dawn”
There needs to be a new early disposal mechanism for SLAPPs, academics have said, describing existing anti-SLAPP provisions as “a false dawn that will not address the problem”.
Solicitor struck off for LPA dishonesty after 50 years on roll
A solicitor has been struck off after more than 50 years on the roll after admitting dishonesty over the signing of a lasting power of attorney.
Law Society: “Huge adverse impact” from scrapping client accounts
Restricting or banning law firms from holding client money would be “unwarranted” and “undoubtedly have a huge adverse impact on the reputation of the profession”, the Law Society has warned.
“Accusation without evidence” – tribunal slams SRA prosecution
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has castigated the Solicitors Regulation Authority for prosecuting a law firm and two partners based on “accusation without evidence”.
“You don’t have to start nude,” said barrister photographer
The barrister and amateur photographer suspended for two years for a conversation with a woman about modelling told her she did not have to start with nude pictures.
Plexus Legal administrators charge more than double original estimate
The administrators of Plexus Legal have now racked up more than £650,000 in fees in less than 18 months, more than twice their original estimate.
SRA waives £120k fine of law firm now in administration
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has waived a £120,000 fine it intended to levy on a law firm because it has now gone into administration.
Blog
It’s time for law firms to ask tougher questions
For years, many law firms have treated ID verification as a box-ticking exercise. Run a liveness check, match a face to a document and move on. But that is no longer good enough.
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
