Compliance & Regulation
SRA’s plans for CILEX paralegals “risk to reputation of solicitors”
Plans by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to regulate CILEX paralegals are a risk to the “reputation of the solicitor profession” and unnecessary, the Law Society has argued.
Solicitor struck off for role in husband’s unlicensed medicines crimes
A solicitor caught up in her husband’s supply of unauthorised medicines and controlled drugs, as well as money laundering, has been struck off.
Peers support widening SRA’s fining and investigative powers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority needs more powers to prevent misconduct by law firms involved in strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPPs), peers have urged.
Civil Mediation Council bids to push up standards in profession
The Civil Mediation Council is creating an independent regulatory body and applying for a Royal charter in a bid to drive up standards in the profession, it has emerged.
Alternative ways to practise as a solicitor have had “modest impact”
The options for solicitors to offer services to the public as freelancers or from unregulated businesses have had a “modest impact on consumer choice”, research for the SRA has found.
Solicitor struck off for making false costs claim to court
A solicitor who tried to pass off costs incurred by someone else as his own before the Business and Property Court has been struck off.
LSB warns regulators of enforcement action on lawyer quality indicators
The Legal Services Board has warned regulators that they could face action over “slow” progress in developing quality indicators to help consumers choose lawyers.
Revealed: MoJ looks at client account interest to support free legal advice
The Ministry of Justice is formally looking at whether interest on some client accounts could be diverted to fund legal services for people unable to afford advice, Legal Futures can reveal.
Conveyancing assistant signed form in name of supervisor
A conveyancing assistant who signed a form purporting to be her line manager because she was under pressure from her client has been barred from working for law firms.
Solicitor cleared over “accidental” kiss with colleague
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has dismissed an allegation that a solicitor planted an unwanted kiss on the lips of a more junior colleague at their firm’s spring party.
Chalk accepts “growing case” to review regulation of lawyers
There is “a growing case” for a review of the regulatory framework created by the Legal Services Act 2007, the Lord Chancellor has acknowledged.
SRA seeks power to launch “spot checks” of law firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has called for the power to launch “wide-sweeping inspections” of law firms without needing the trigger of a specific allegation of misconduct.
Pupillage providers using blind recruitment “are less diverse”
Pupillage providers using blind or contextual recruitment techniques have a higher proportion of male and White pupils than those who do not, Bar Standards Board research has found.
Ex-City solicitor jailed for 15 years over investment frauds
A former City solicitor who was one of the architects of a Ponzi scheme that multiplied into several investment frauds has been jailed for 15 years.
SRA issues warnings over conduct of volume consumer claims
Law firms handling bulk financial product mis-selling claims have been warned about their conduct of cases by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Blog
Communication as the core of client care in conveyancing
How a conveyancer approaches client care – particularly in relation to communication – can be the greatest differentiator for the success of a conveyancing firm.
Why brilliant lawyers sometimes fail
A question that often strikes a chord with partners in law firms is this: why is it that individuals who excel in one role sometimes struggle when promoted into another?
What LeO’s data tells us about client service in personal injury
With court backlogs, insurer delays and increasingly complex cases, maintaining client care in personal injury work can be difficult, but the data suggests the industry is falling short.
Reports
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