Compliance & Regulation
Barrister’s claim against Neidle ruled first statutory SLAPP
A barrister’s £8m libel and malicious falsehood claim against high-profile tax lawyer Dan Neidle was yesterday found a statutory SLAPP, the first time a court has made such a declaration.
“We have a duty” – solicitor calls on profession to help PM Law’s clients
A solicitor helping former litigation clients of PM Law has called on others to take on cases – and for defendant solicitors not to take advantage of the situation.
SRA: “Significant progress” on Post Office disciplinary action
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has made “significant progress” with its investigations into the Post Office scandal – but still cannot say when disciplinary action may start.
MPs grill Legal Ombudsman chair-elect with new LSB chair to follow
The failure of law firms to give a final response to complaints about service is one of the big challenges for the Legal Ombudsman, according to its chair-elect, while the LSB is set for a new chair.
Consumer panel calls for single disciplinary process for lawyers
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has called for a single disciplinary process and compensation scheme as part of a major modernisation of legal regulation.
Implementing ILCA scheme as proposed “may be unlawful”
The government’s plans for an Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme are so poorly thought-through that implementing it might not be lawful, City solicitors have warned.
SRA faces £700k costs battle with Carter-Ruck partner
The Solicitors Regulation Authority faces having to pay up to £700,000 in costs after its prosecution of a partner at top media firm Carter-Ruck was summarily dismissed.
Using Legal Choices “improves understanding”
The website run by all the legal regulators to help consumers navigate the justice system improves understanding of legal issues, research has found.
“Repurpose unused apprenticeship levies” to support access to justice
Repurposing large law firms’ unused apprenticeship levies was this week put forward as a more practical option than a levy of wealthy law firms to support access to justice initiatives.
SRA pays out £9.3m to PM Law clients in month after collapse
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has already paid out £9.3m to clients of the collapsed PM Law Group, it revealed today.
Legal Services Board “may need more money and staff” to do its job
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has questioned whether the Legal Services Board is “sufficiently resourced and structured” to oversee regulation of the sector.
Legal Services Board formally issues SRA with censure over SSB
The Legal Services Board has today finally issued the formal public censure of the SRA for its failure to protect consumers affected by the collapse of SSB Group.
Mazur: Court refuses CILEX Fellow exemption to conduct litigation
A circuit judge has refused to grant a highly experienced chartered legal executive an exemption that would allow her to conduct a family law case.
SRA shuts down eight-office Home Counties law firm
An eight-office Home Counties law firm – operating under seven different names – was closed down yesterday by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Regulators told to be tougher with AML disciplinary action
Some legal and accountancy regulators are not undertaking “sufficiently dissuasive disciplinary measures” over non-compliance with AML rules, their oversight body has warned.
Blog
Why is Andrew Malkinson still paying for a crime he didn’t commit?
Like many in my profession and beyond, I have been moved by the case of Andrew Malkinson, the man who spent 17 years in prison for an awful crime he did not commit.
What is tech bloat and why is it a problem for law firms?
Too many law firms are adopting shiny new tech without first retiring their legacy systems, causing duplication and unnecessary costs.
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
