Compliance & Regulation
Barrister filmed drinking brandy in car during trial lunch break
A high-profile criminal barrister filmed drinking brandy while sitting in his car during a break in a case has been fined £3,000 by a disciplinary tribunal.
Caseworker fails again to overturn SRA ban
The SDT has rejected the latest attempt by an immigration caseworker to overturn an order imposed by the SRA controlling his work in the profession.
Gender and ethnicity pay gap among barristers widens
The gender and ethnicity pay gaps at the Bar remains substantial and have actually widened a little over the past three years, according to Bar Standards Board research.
LSB chief executive steps down after less than year in post
The Legal Services Board is to be without a permanent chief executive as well as chair after announcing yesterday that Craig Westwood is to leave the oversight regulator.
Conditions imposed on Cameron’s role as DLA Piper adviser
There are “clear guardrails” in place to ensure that Lord David Cameron’s new role as a consultant to global law firm DLA Piper will not involve contact with the UK government.
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.
Blog
When the person who needs help is the partner
A law firm can have excellent support on paper and still have a serious gap. The gap is the person who cannot imagine using it.
SRA supervision and AI: what firms will be asked to prove
AI intensifies scrutiny of whether firms can demonstrate that they were in control of the systems through which legal services were delivered.
How ELD NextGen will improve employers’ liability tracing
The Employers’ Liability Tracing Office is continuing work towards the launch of ELD NextGen, the next generation of the employers’ liability database, in early 2027.
Reports
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