Compliance & Regulation


High Court boost for costs lawyers as new way to qualify goes live

30 June 2023

The first course offering the new way to qualify as a costs lawyer has begun admitting students in the wake of comments from a High Court master praising the contribution of costs lawyers.


Large North-West conveyancing practice to close doors on Friday

29 June 2023

A large conveyancing firm in the North-West is to close its doors on Friday, with its two directors taking some staff to join the practice owned by listed company Smoove.


Retired judges “should be regulated” if they return to practice

29 June 2023

Retired judges who engage in legal work after their retirement, whether advocacy or litigation, should be regulated by the BSB or SRA, academics have argued.


Part of 13-firm Law Direct group saved in pre-pack sale

29 June 2023

North London law firm Alexander & Partners has bought parts of the Law Direct group of 13 law firms in a pre-pack following its administration.


SRA’s unlimited fining power will apply to SLAPPs, minister confirms

29 June 2023

A new power for the Solicitors Regulation Authority to levy unlimited fines in cases of economic crime will extend to SLAPPs, the government has confirmed.


SRA squandered “incredible potential” of ABSs, says Burford boss

28 June 2023

The boss of the world’s largest litigation funder has accused the Solicitors Regulation Authority of squandering the opportunities offered by alternative business structures.


Law firms “must publish” fees for family and employment work

27 June 2023

Law firms should have to publish their fees for family and employment work beyond unfair dismissal claims, Legal Services Consumer Panel has told the SRA.


Impact of solicitor’s misconduct on PII led to firm shutting down

27 June 2023

A solicitor who lied to various clients about the progress of their matters caused so many claims against his firm that it had to close because of rising indemnity insurance premiums.


SRA rule change “does not stop law firms invoicing in advance”

27 June 2023

Amendments to the Standards & Regulations will not stop law firms invoicing clients in advance and transferring the money into their office accounts, the SRA has said.


Solicitors sanctioned for putting wives’ interests ahead of client’s

26 June 2023

Two solicitors who paid their wives to clean a vault under the terms of a trust they oversaw preferred their interests over those of the trust and its beneficiary, the SDT has found.


SRA intervenes in two law firm groups made up of 12 firms

26 June 2023

The Solicitors Regulation Authority last week intervened in a group consisting of eight law firms after the primary business went into administration, as well as another group with four firms.


Big firms to assess impact of their advice on climate change

23 June 2023

A group of eight major law firms have pledged to “understand the impact” of their advice on climate change and raised the possibility of not acting in matters that increase global warming.


GCHQ: Nation states and hacktivists pose cyber-threat to legal sector

23 June 2023

Nation states and hacktivists are cyber threats to law firms in addition to criminals, the government’s National Cyber Security Centre as warned.


Client biases “help explain” number of BAME solicitors in SRA’s sights

23 June 2023

Bias among those who make complaints and the types of firms BAME solicitors work for might explain why they are overrepresented in disciplinary activity, researchers have suggested.


Solicitor misled client and sent SRA faked documents

23 June 2023

A solicitor who misled his client about the progress of her employment claim and then sent the Solicitors Regulation Authority fabricated documents to back up his position has been struck off.

← Page 92 Page 93 of 167 Page 94 →

Blog


The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs

The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.


Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda

Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.


Law firms need to go beyond document checks

At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.