Compliance & Regulation
Financial Services Bill will be vehicle for AML switch to FCA
The government is set to legislate to transfer the anti-money laundering supervision of lawyers to the Financial Conduct Authority, it has emerged.
Judge refers solicitors to SRA for fake AI-generated cases
A circuit judge has referred two solicitors to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for submitting hallucinated cases to the court.
“Significant new evidence” in employment judge misconduct case
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office has agreed to reinvestigate allegations of bullying and intimidation against Employment Judge Philip Lancaster, in light of “significant new evidence”.
Tribunal clears law clinic solicitor of trying to mislead employer
An immigration solicitor has been cleared of misleading her employer over her conduct of an asylum case after a three-day Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearing.
King’s Speech: No litigation funding, SLAPPs or AML reform
The King’s Speech yesterday was notable as much for what was not in it as what was, with significant omissions including the promised litigation funding bill.
Barrister who put client’s interests ahead of duty to court disbarred
A barrister who knowingly allowed a judge and opposing party in a family law case to be misled during a hearing has been disbarred for “professional dishonesty”.
Ban for male employee who targeted firm’s young female staff
A facilities assistant at a law firm who targeted young female staff with “inappropriate” gifts and messages has been barred from working in the profession.
CA overturns referral of KC for contempt hearing over closing speech
The Court of Appeal has set aside a Crown Court judge’s referral of a KC for contempt of court proceedings after finding the High Court did not have the jurisdiction to pursue them.
Good Law Project urges review of BSB decision on gender-critical barrister
The Good Law Project is challenging the Bar Standards Board’s decision to reject its complaint against a barrister over her social media posts about a trans woman.
Row over contempt action against KC for defying judge’s order
Contempt of court proceedings against a KC for a closing speech that allegedly breached the judge’s directions could have a “chilling effect on the Bar”, his set has argued.
Multi-office firm fell into administration after sale fell through
West of England law firm BLB Solicitors was forced into administration after a sale fell through at a late stage, its administrators have revealed.
SRA seeks extra £25m from profession “to fix the foundations”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority today set out the initial cost of fixing its problems – a 29%, or £25m, increase in its funding for the 2026-27 practising year.
SRA and CILEX end talks on transferring regulation of legal executives
Work to transfer the regulation of CILEX members to the Solicitors Regulation Authority has come to an end, it has emerged.
“Panicked” solicitor who backdated document struck off
A solicitor who backdated a document and sent a misleading email to a client has been struck off, despite evidence he was experiencing significant mental health difficulties at the time.
BSB seeks power to appeal decision of health panels
The Bar Standards Board is to take a right of appeal against decisions of its health panels, which is currently restricted to the affected barrister.
Blog
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.
Supreme Court redraws line between member and employee in LLPs
For anyone advising professional services firms on LLP structuring, and of course for those in LLPs themselves, last week’s Supreme Court ruling is an essential read.
