Compliance & Regulation
Judge overturns suspension of barrister who lied to client about papers
It was “clearly inappropriate” for a Bar disciplinary tribunal to suspend a barrister who lied to a direct access client over papers that were accidentally destroyed by his chambers.
Suspension for solicitor “who would not allow firm to be regulated”
A law firm owner who failed to pay a wasted costs order as well as four fines imposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has been suspended for six months.
New powers for regulator to crack down on immigration advisers
There is “growing evidence” that unregulated immigration lawyers are abusing the system, the government has claimed in unveiling beefed-up powers for the Immigration Advice Authority.
SSB used “unethical tactics” to stop clients dropping cases
SSB Law has been accused of employing “unethical tactics” to retain clients who wanted to drop their cases and the Solicitors Regulation Authority condemned for its response.
SDT reprimands solicitor who failed to comply with LeO decision
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has reprimanded a solicitor who did not comply with a direction from the Legal Ombudsman – but said it should not have reached the tribunal.
BSB: Barristers need to embrace tech to improve client service
The structure of the Bar impedes the adoption of technology and innovation, but barristers need to do so to drive “a better and more efficient service for clients”, a BSB report has argued.
PI boss paid clients damages after messing up their claims
A law firm boss who told three personal injury clients their cases had succeeded when actually they had not, and even paid them damages, has been struck off.
Law firm boss “misled court” in effort to push through prepack sale
A judge has strongly criticised the boss of a consumer claims law firm for giving false evidence and trying to force through a prepack administration sale in favour of his own newly incorporated firm.
Project eyes client interest and large firm levies to support advice sector
A project exploring new funding streams for the not-for-profit legal advice sector – including interest on client accounts and levies of large law firms – went live this month.
Partner struck off for misleading client and firm over visa progress
A partner who misled his client and his supervising partner about the progress of the client’s visa application has been struck off.
Solicitor who secured release of client’s money then breached rules
A solicitor who successfully released money frozen in a client’s bank account then broke the accounts rules by having it transferred into her firm’s client account.
LSB shaves budget demand but lawyers still face 11% rise
The Legal Services Board has trimmed its proposed budget increase for 2025-26 but it is still to rise by 11% – adding £3.05 onto every regulated lawyer’s practising fees.
Trio of solicitors rebuked for dormant balances and suspense ledgers
Three former directors of a law firm have been rebuked for allowing it to accrue hundreds of dormant balances and five suspense ledgers that between them held £930,000.
Tribunal reduced suspension for sexual misconduct barrister
“Exceptional” personal mitigation led a tribunal to reduce the suspension of a male barrister who harassed a woman at his chambers’ Christmas party below the indicative sentence.
Solicitor who practised while suspended is struck off
A solicitor who practised while suspended has been struck off, while the law firm owner who unwittingly employed him received a suspended sentence.
Blog
A familiar story?
There is no doubt that the rising cost of clinical negligence claims deserves attention. However, the system’s true cost driver is often not the claim itself.
When AI becomes a line on the client’s bill
On 23 June, Legora changed how it charges. The platform announced that its most capable product was moving away from a flat per-seat licence fee to consumption-based pricing
Which legal AI will still matter in 12 months?
Four years ago, when senior partners asked me which legal AI they should buy, I would have walked them through a vendor comparison. Now I tell them the question is wrong.
