Compliance & Regulation
KC condemns SRA for “unprincipled approach” to fines
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has demonstrated a “shambolic and unprincipled approach” to the use of its fining powers, a leading regulatory KC has argued.
Drink-drive solicitor who refused breath test did not lack integrity
A solicitor arrested for failing to provide a sample of his breath after being pulled over for drink-driving did not act with a lack of integrity, the SDT has ruled.
SRA, BSB and CILEX Regulation facing “increased oversight”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority, Bar Standards Board and CILEX Regulation all require increased oversight, the Legal Services Board has revealed.
Man ordered to pay £10,000 costs for failed LeO judicial review
A man whose application for permission to bring a judicial review against the Legal Ombudsman was certified as totally without merit has been ordered to pay £10,000 in costs.
Top firm’s COLP “acted reasonably” over concerns about client
The COLP at leading City law firm Kennedys has been cleared of failing to adequately investigate concerns about a property development it was advising on.
SDT introduces automatic disclosure of documents
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has introduced a new policy which aims to cut the number of non-party disclosure applications by the press and public.
Post Office scandal “shows that privilege needs urgent reform”
The Post Office inquiry shows that legal professional privilege presents “significant problems of principle and practice” and needs urgent reform, leading academics have argued.
Pupil suspended for cheating in training exercise
A first-six pupil barrister who accessed a file without permission that helped her with a training exercise, and then pretended she had not, has been suspended for 18 months.
LSB pressures regulators to improve lawyers’ ethical approach
Lawyers’ lack of proper regard for ethics, and their “disproportionate focus” on client interests above all else, means regulators need to take action to improve compliance.
Jailed solicitor’s ex-wife made subject to unexplained wealth order
The Serious Fraud Office has secured its first unexplained wealth order against the ex-wife of Tim Schools, the jailed struck-off solicitor behind the Axiom Fund fraud.
Lawyer “fires” Meta as client over “descent into Neo-Nazi madness”
A US lawyer representing Meta has publicly announced that he has “fired” the company as a client, citing “Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook’s descent into toxic masculinity and Neo-Nazi madness”.
SRA issues warning to firms over sham litigation
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has urged law firms to protect themselves from sham litigation, which can be used to bypass anti-money laundering rules.
There aren’t enough immigration advisers, says rebranded regulator
The amount of immigration and asylum advice available across the UK “does not meet the need or demand”, the rebranded Immigration Advice Authority has said.
Over-zealous barristers employing “ethically questionable” tactics
Barristers may “sometimes allow their zeal to advance a client’s interests to embrace tactics which are ethically questionable”, their regulator said yesterday.
SRA: Consumers “at risk from lawyers who do not understand tech”
A lack of digital skills across the UK could be a risk for consumers and law firms if lawyers “do not fully understand” new technology, the SRA has warned.
Blog
Does the Lloyd review mark the end of the Legal Services Act?
The Legal Services Board often generates eye-rolls and irritation from the leaders of the frontline regulators it oversees and of the representative bodies attached to them.
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
