Compliance & Regulation
LSB prepares for “regular” investigations into regulators
The Legal Services Board plans to increase its “capacity and capability” to launch investigations into, and reviews of, the frontline regulators “on a regular basis”.
SRA: Profession making progress on diversity – especially at small firms
There is a “slow but steady increase in diversity among all lawyers”, the Solicitors Regulation Authority reported yesterday in its biennial collection of the profession’s diversity data.
SRA shelves accounts rules changes in wake of Axiom Ince
The SRA has postponed changes it was set to make to the accounts rules – including how money taken for costs in advance of work being done is dealt with – in light of the Axiom Ince scandal.
SRA admits it has “a long way to go” on diversity
The Solicitors Regulation Authority still has “a long way to go” on diversity, its chief executive has said – although its gender and ethnicity pay gaps are shrinking.
Exclusive: Axiom Ince director drops challenge to SRA intervention
One of the three Axiom Ince directors whose individual practices were shut down by the SRA has dropped his High Court challenge to the decision, Legal Futures can reveal.
Law firm innovator takes practice forward as unregulated firm
Law firm innovator Alice Stephenson has turned her business into an unregulated practice, citing problems with HM Revenue & Customs and the costs of running a regulated law firm.
Struck-off solicitor jailed for stealing £880,000 from clients
A struck-off solicitor has been jailed for nearly six years for defrauding clients of £880,000, which he used to prop up his practice and pay off loans.
Bullying, harassment and discrimination a “systemic” problem for the Bar
Bullying, harassment and discrimination at the Bar is a “systemic” problem, the Bar Council said yesterday, with 44% of barristers saying they have experienced or witnessed it in the past two years.
Lawyers and CMCs face fee to complain to Financial Ombudsman
Lawyers and CMCs making complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service on behalf of clients will be charged for doing so in future, under plans published this week.
Transferring Pakistan and Bangladesh advocates causing BSB headache
The Bar Standards Board is setting up a taskforce to help it cope with a surge of lawyers from Pakistan and Bangladesh seeking to be called to the Bar in England and Wales.
Ban for ex-Eversheds manager over inappropriate touching
A male former senior client development manager at Eversheds Sutherland who repeatedly grabbed a female colleague at an away day has been barred from the profession.
SRA faces independent review of approach to Axiom Ince
The Legal Services Board is planning an unprecedented independent review of how the Solicitors Regulation Authority has handled the Axiom Ince scandal, MPs were told yesterday.
Rookie barrister reprimanded for lying about court applications
An inexperienced barrister feared seeking the court’s approval to deduct success fees from damages in infant settlement cases but told his employers he had applied for them.
Police inspector fired for abusive tweets aimed at feminist barrister
Dr Charlotte Proudman has welcomed the dismissal of a police inspector who sent her and other women abusive tweets – and contrasted the action with the approach of the Bar Standards Board.
Barrister who halved suspension on appeal refused costs against BSB
The High Court has refused to order costs in favour of a barrister who successfully reduced the suspension imposed on him for recklessly misleading the Court of Appeal.
Blog
Legal director: an alternative to partnership
Firms are increasingly acknowledging the need for alternative senior roles – positions that offer influence and recognition without the obligations of ownership.
It’s time for law firms to ask tougher questions
For years, many law firms have treated ID verification as a box-ticking exercise. Run a liveness check, match a face to a document and move on. But that is no longer good enough.
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
