Compliance & Regulation
MPs urge SRA to speed up investigation into SSB collapse
The Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to speed up its investigation into the collapse of Sheffield law firm SSB Law, MPs said this week, with one calling out “dodgy” solicitors.
Legal Services Board adds £1.75m to levy on legal profession
The Legal Services Board is set to trim back the increase in its budget for the coming year to 10%, while also approving a 7% rise in the Legal Ombudsman’s budget.
MPs’ support for Legal Services Act review divides opinion
MPs’ backing for a review of legal regulation has split opinion in the market, pitching the Legal Services Consumer Panel and Professor Stephen Mayson against the Law Society.
SRA fines “unfair” and “schizophrenic”, solicitors argue
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s approach to fines has been branded unfair and “schizophrenic” in the wake of hefty penalties handed out to solicitors convicted of drink-driving.
Ex-solicitor struck off for bribes fails in bid to return to profession
A former solicitor struck off after being jailed for five years for perverting the course of justice has failed in his attempt to return to the profession.
MPs: Case to review Legal Services Act “growing stronger and stronger”
The case for re-examining the regulatory framework created by the Legal Services Act 2007 is “growing stronger and stronger”, MPs have told the government.
Miller: Who lawyers decide to act for is not a regulatory issue
Who lawyers choose to act for is not a regulatory issue – and the Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to be clear on this, a leading legal regulatory specialist said yesterday.
Prove you will practise here, BSB to tell transferring overseas lawyers
The Bar Standards Board could ask foreign lawyers seeking to be called in England and Wales to prove they intend to practise here, it has emerged.
SRA sets out plans to regulate CILEX paralegals and students
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has outlined its plans to regulate the thousands of Chartered Institute of Legal Executives members who are paralegals and students.
Newly qualified solicitor struck off for false time recording
A newly qualified solicitor who “falsely recorded time across a number of files” to show his law firm that he was meeting his billing target has been struck off.
Lady Chief Justice speaks out in support of cab-rank rule
The Lady Chief Justice yesterday spoke out in support of the cab-rank rule, arguing that without it “law and justice become an arbitrary concept”.
Strike-off for solicitor who lied to SRA about firm’s closure
A solicitor who lied to the Solicitors Regulation Authority after failing to renew his firm’s professional indemnity insurance has been struck off.
Short suspension for junior solicitor who groped colleague
A male solicitor who groped and propositioned a female colleague at his firm’s Christmas party has been suspended for three months.
Money laundering solicitor finally pays off confiscation order
A struck-off solicitor and money launderer has finally satisfied the £716,719 confiscation order made against him in 2017, after facing a return to jail.
Don’t put up a barrier with your business, in-house lawyers told
In-house lawyers should not think they are special because of their wider duties to the court as this risks alienating them from their business colleagues, it was claimed yesterday.
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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