Compliance & Regulation
Eight out of 10 candidates say SQE is not fit for purpose
Eight out of 10 current and former SQE candidates do not consider the exam is fit for purpose or good value for money, a survey by the National Junior Lawyers Division has found.
Bar tribunals: Earlier naming and all rulings published
Rulings by Bar disciplinary tribunals which clear barristers of misconduct are to be published in all cases, not only where requested, the Bar Standards Board has decided.
Judge: Unqualified agency advocates “risk undermining legal system”
The use of unqualified advocates by agencies has “the potential to undermine the integrity of the legal system”, a judge has ruled.
“Deplorable” vaginal mesh solicitor put money before clients
A solicitor who acted for hundreds of women in vaginal mesh claims has been struck off for “deplorable” conduct which involved “a profound failure to protect his clients’ interests”.
BSB rejects Good Law Project complaint over gender critical barrister
The Bar Standards Board has rejected a complaint made against a barrister by the Good Law Project on behalf of a trans woman over multiple social media posts.
Return to normality – Court of Appeal overturns Mazur ruling
The Court of Appeal has overturned the decision in Mazur, holding that an unauthorised person can conduct litigation so long as they are under the supervision of an authorised lawyer.
Mazur reaction: A victory for all, says CILEX
The Court of Appeal ruling in Mazur is “a victory for CILEX members” but also for access to justice, consumers and the profession, the organisation has declared.
Solicitor labelled “dishonest fraudster” by court struck off
A solicitor, described by a district judge as a “dishonest fraudster” who “consistently lied” to the court and to his law firm, has been struck off.
FCA issues stark warning to law firms over motor finance scheme
The FCA has promised “robust action” against law firms and CMCs that engage in “sharp practices” around the finalised motor finance compensation scheme.
Barrister self-reports to BSB after citing fake cases in skeleton
A barrister has reported herself to the Bar Standards Board after submitting authorities hallucinated by artificial intelligence (AI) to the High Court.
Tribunal orders removal of law firm’s restriction on client’s property
A tribunal has found that a law firm did not have its client’s consent to place a restriction on her property in lieu of unpaid fees.
LSB caps ombudsman’s budget rise despite dire warning of impact
The Legal Ombudsman has been given a budget for its next financial year that it says will not be sufficient to meet its operational or strategic needs.
LSB introduces hierarchy in lawyers’ ethical duties
New requirements to strengthen ethical standards now expressly state that lawyers must place their duties to the court and to act with independence, above acting in the best interests of their client.
MPs probe chair-elect of LSB over conflict of interest risk
MPs yesterday grilled the prospective chair of the Legal Services Board over a potential conflict of interest with her existing role as chair of King’s Counsel Appointments.
No strike-off for solicitor’s “spontaneous dishonesty”
A solicitor who signed a deed as a witness to a signature when she had not actually been present has escaped being struck off.
Blog
The SRA’s strict liability gamble has failed. Good
The Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Dentons v SRA on 27 April, and the profession is right to welcome it. It is the second time in short succession that the court has corrected the SRA.
How AI presents real opportunities for barristers
AI presents real opportunities to improve access to justice and to support barristers in day-to-day legal practice. But we all need to understand and mitigate the risks.
Not everything can be a competition issue – a new dawn for consumer redress
Last month, the Law Commission launched a new project to “consider the potential introduction of a consumer class actions regime” in England and Wales.
