Big spike in competence-related complaints to the SRA
Reports to the Solicitors Regulation Authority about solicitors’ competence rose by 48% to over 4,000 last year, the regulator has revealed.
“Vindictive” solicitor ordered to pay costs of failed claim
A solicitor dismissed by HM Land Registry has been ordered to pay costs because of the “vindictive” and “outrageous” way he pursued a failed employment tribunal claim.
SDT refuses to lift conditions on “grossly negligent” solicitor
A solicitor who was suspended for a year after she was found to have been “grossly negligent” has failed in a bid to get conditions removed from her practising certificate.
ACL proposes alternative to Legal Ombudsman taking on costs disputes
A pre-action protocol run through an online portal would be a better way to resolve lower-value costs disputes than handing them to the Legal Ombudsman, specialists have argued.
Fine for barrister who “should have learnt” from previous rudeness
A barrister who should have learnt from a previous disciplinary offence that his rudeness “demeans” himself and could damage “the Bar as a whole” has been fined.
Change of solicitors in rugby injury litigation gives court “comfort”
A judge has allowed hundreds of rugby head injury claims to go ahead despite not complying with unless orders, after taking “comfort” from the players changing solicitors.
Judge “should have fined” barrister for driving death conviction
A High Court judge should not have replaced a suspension imposed by a Bar disciplinary tribunal on a barrister jailed for causing death by dangerous driving with no order at all.
Axiom Ince director struck off for amending counsel’s fee note
A former director of Axiom Ince has been struck off for amending a fee note received from counsel to give a misleading impression to his client and firm.
Knights and Fletchers carve up Moore Barlow
Listed law firm Knights has agreed a deal for the commercial and private wealth practices of South-East law firm Moore Barlow, with private equity-backed Fletchers picking up the rest.
Law firm owner struck off over missing £450,000
A law firm owner who has cost the profession £450,000 in payouts from the SRA Compensation Fund because of money missing from client account has been struck off.
