Compliance & Regulation
UN rapporteurs “seriously concerned” about online attacks on barrister
Four special rapporteurs appointed by the UN’s Human Rights Council have told the UK government about their concerns over the “ongoing harassment” of barrister Charlotte Proudman.
Senior associate who exposed clients to “unknown risks” struck off
A senior associate who completed a transaction without an executed mortgage deed, exposing both the lender and lay clients to “unknown and unacceptable risks”, has been struck off.
Partner “deliberately misled” client over PI claim she never issued
A partner at a leading personal injury firm who “deliberately misled” an accident victim for five years over a claim she never issued has been struck off.
Law firm fined £11,000 for overcharging DBA clients
A law firm that charged personal injury clients more than it was allowed to when acting under damages-based agreements has been fined nearly £11,000.
SRA to appeal decision to clear Dentons over AML breaches
The High Court looks set to rule on whether a tribunal was right to find that Dentons’ breach of the anti-money laundering rules was “inadvertent”.
Police station rep referred to transgender detainee as “thing”
A police station representative who made offensive comments about a transgender detainee and about immigrants has been made subject to regulatory controls.
BSB slaps down Bar Council over diversity and equality work
The Bar Standards Board has rejected a Bar Council call to take a step back from efforts to improve equality, diversity and inclusion and instead leave it to the profession.
Law firms need to act over new duty to prevent sexual harassment
Law firms will need to rethink their approach to alcohol at events as part of preparing for the new positive legal duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
Pupil barrister fined for f-word outbursts during online exam
A pupil barrister has been fined £500 for a series of foul-mouthed outbursts at a remote invigilator during an online ethics exam, which ended with him raising his middle finger to the camera.
£36k fine for law firm which let millions pass through client account
A specialist sports law firm has been fined £36,000, and its COFA rebuked, for allowing its client account to be used as a banking facility.
Solicitor leaves roll after misusing dormant client money
A solicitor who transferred £15,000 that was long sat dormant in client account to his firm’s office account has agreed to remove himself from the roll of solicitors.
Call to charge lawyers £450 to make complaint to FOS
A trade association for financial advisers has called on the Financial Ombudsman Service to impose charges of £450 per case on law firms and CMCs making volume complaints.
Barrister who bought drugs from criminal clients disbarred
A barrister jailed for 14 months for obtaining drugs from two men he was representing has been disbarred after his fourth appearance before a Bar disciplinary tribunal.
Conveyancers “overlooking post-completion work” after taking fee
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has outlined its “growing concern” that post-completion work is not being done properly and promptly.
First SDT appearance for Zahawi lawyer accused of SLAPP
The first proceedings at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal over an alleged SLAPP (strategic litigation against public participation) began yesterday.
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.
