Rape conviction quashed due to defence advocate’s failings
The Court of Appeal has taken the rare step of quashing a child rape conviction because of the defence barrister’s failure to explore key evidence during the trial.
Crown prosecutor struck off for child cruelty conviction
A Crown prosecutor who was jailed for assaulting and ill-treating a child has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
“First hard evidence” of legal advice improving lives
Groundbreaking research has provided “the first hard evidence” that legal advice for low-income households improves lives – increasing incomes and improving mental health.
SDT fines solicitor and firm for website transparency failures
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has fined a solicitor and the law firm he owns £4,500 for failing to comply with the SRA’s transparency rules.
Working patterns “unsustainable for our health”, say women lawyers
Exactly half of female legal professionals believe their working patterns are not “sustainable for their health in the long term”, a large-scale study has found.
Parliamentary pincer movement aims to up SLAPPs law pressure
The second of two private members’ bills to introduce an anti-SLAPPs law will be introduced in the House of Commons today in a bid to pressure the government to act.
Clients less swayed by emotional support than law firms think
Clients are much less likely than law firm leaders to believe that feeling valued or cared for matters most or that a personalised service drives loyalty.
PM’s anti-corruption champion backs AML supervision switch
The prime minister’s anti-corruption champion has strongly endorsed the decision to move oversight of lawyers’ anti-money laundering activities to the Financial Conduct Authority.
Solicitor who believed court made error cleared of dishonesty
A veteran solicitor who genuinely believed a court had entered judgment against his client by error has been cleared of multiple allegations made against him at a tribunal.
Conduct commissioner offers barristers route to raise bullying concerns
Barristers under a duty to report bullying, harassment or sexual harassment by others to the BSB can now satisfy it by reporting to the Bar Council’s new Commissioner for Conduct.
