Compliance & Regulation
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.
SRA “should be bolder” on third-party managed accounts
The Solicitors Regulation Authority should be “bolder” in its approach to third-party managed accounts, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has argued.
Barrister GC: Why can’t I sign off trainee solicitors’ work experience?
A general counsel has complained that she is unable to sign off the qualifying work experience (QWE) of trainee solicitors because she is a barrister.
SRA “must improve authorisation of law firms” in wake of Axiom Ince
The SRA must pay “immediate attention” to weaknesses in its authorisation process for new law firms in the wake of the Axiom Ince collapse, the Law Society has argued.
SRA agrees to take over regulation of CILEX members
The board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority has agreed to regulate CILEX members if it decides to press ahead with changing regulator.
Ex-solicitor struck off 24 years ago fails in bid to return to roll
A woman struck off as a solicitor 24 years ago has failed in her second attempt to be restored to the roll, with a tribunal saying the passage of time did not of itself justify it.
Law firm fines should be a minimum of £5k, says SRA
The SRA has proposed that any fine it imposes on law firms should be at least £5,000, as well as ending fines for solicitors convicted of drink-driving.
Five-year suspension for solicitor – for practising while suspended
A veteran solicitor who practised while suspended has been suspended again, although the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal said it had “some reservations” about the sanction.
SRA “has not justified” huge compensation fund levy rises
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has not done enough to justify the huge increases in compensation fund contributions for the coming year, the Law Society has argued.
SRA: Law firms continuing to hold client money “not inevitable”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has dropped its biggest hint so far that it could initially restrict and ultimately end solicitors holding client money.
Regulators’ efforts to improve standards in coroners’ courts stalling
A cross-regulator effort to improve the standard of practice in coroners’ courts has had limited effect, the first evaluation of the initiative has found.
Firms face new rule to publish price information for all services
Law firms regulated by CILEx Regulation could become the first – but not the last – required to publish price and service information for all the legal services they provide.
£10k fine for solicitor who amended transfer without client consent
A solicitor who amended and lodged a property transfer without her client’s knowledge or consent has been fined £10,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Blog
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
