Compliance & Regulation
High Court refers barrister to BSB for “abusive” judicial review
The High Court has referred a barrister to the Bar Standards Board for launching a judicial review which was “abusive and bound to fail” on behalf of a client facing extradition.
SRA issues highest fine to date amidst AML breaches blitz
The SRA has issued the highest fine since the limit went up to £25,000 among 14 handed out in recent weeks for breaches of the anti-money laundering rules.
SRA warns law firms about misleading use of ‘no win, no fee’
Law firms need to be careful in marketing their services as ‘no win, no fee’, and in how they attract clients, especially in high-volume claims work, the SRA told solicitors today.
Solicitor MI5 accused of being Chinese agent loses legal challenge
A solicitor accused by MI5 of being an agent of the Chinese government has lost her challenge to the assessment. She said her law firm had suffered “irreparable reputational harm”.
Young solicitor who misled clients over LPAs is struck off
A young lawyer who changed dates on lasting powers of attorney and misled clients about when they were sent to the Office of the Public Guardian has been struck off.
Tribunal clears council solicitor who amended witness statement
A council solicitor who amended a signed witness statement without express confirmation of the changes before submitting it to the High Court has been cleared of misconduct.
Two-year suspension for City partner who groped associate
A male ex-partner at City giant Freshfields who groped a female associate after a team Christmas party has been suspended from practice for two years.
Lawyer executors “could do more” about risk of conflicts in probate
Law firms handling probate work could do more to guard against the risks of a conflict when administering estates and also acting as the executor, the SRA has cautioned.
Solicitors over-reliant on their COLPs, says SRA
Too many solicitors only check their professional obligations when things go wrong and are over-reliant on their firm’s COLP to keep on top of regulatory issues, according to SRA research.
Immigration adviser handed suspended jail sentence
A man who provided immigration advice and services without being regulated has been handed a suspended jail sentence.
BSB “not fit for purpose”, says Proudman after tribunal dismisses case
The Bar Standards Board has proven itself “unfit for purpose”, Dr Charlotte Proudman said yesterday after a disciplinary tribunal ruled she had no case to answer over tweets she sent.
“A modern-day traitor” – politicians’ disgust at failure to jail Shiner
There has been a strong reaction to the suspended prison sentence for disgraced solicitor Phil Shiner, with the shadow Lord Chancellor saying “it is an insult to British veterans that he is not behind bars”.
Law firm hits back over “inaccurate” BBC accusations of LPA misuse
An Essex law firm at the centre of a BBC investigation into possible abuse of LPAs has described it as “inaccurate” and “based on second or third-hand hearsay”.
Bar Council condemns KC found guilty of sexual misconduct
The Bar Council has condemned former Criminal Bar Association chair Navjot ‘Jo’ Sidhu KC after a disciplinary tribunal found serious professional misconduct of a sexual nature.
Solicitor who benefited from will rebuked over conflict
A partner who was a beneficiary of a will he drafted, without advising his client to take independent legal advice, has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Blog
Listening, learning and leading The Solicitor’s Charity with care
As I prepare to hand over the mantle of chair of The Solicitor’s Charity next month, it doesn’t feel like an end. Instead, it feels like a wonderful journey.
Is competition in the legal sector stifling innovation?
As the legal sector’s competitive landscape continues to evolve, Nobel laureates remind us that innovation is not inevitable,and that competition may not always be an incentive to innovate.
What high-performing consumer claims firms get right
Recurring concerns about parts of the volume claims sector show that the gap between well-run firms and those struggling to manage volume effectively is widening.
