Profession has struggled with AML rules, says firm fined £10,000
A Surrey law firm has been fined £10,000 for breaches of the anti-money laundering rules in its training, approach to risk assessment and in a conveyancing transaction which produced £850 in fees.
Firm to use AI to triage new clients and give initial advice
A law firm is deploying artificial intelligence software that will become the first point of contact for all new clients, trained to offer initial legal advice and triage cases.
Solicitor struck off for “sophisticated” Land Registry fraud
A solicitor jailed for more than three years for forging Land Registry documents in a family dispute with the owners of a Newcastle takeaway has been struck off.
Conveyancing giant enters the big leagues as acquisitions pay off
Simplify, the private equity-owned group that leads the conveyancing market, is now one of the largest legal businesses in the country with a turnover of £139m last year, its accounts have shown.
SRA bid to cut Compensation Fund payout cap facing rejection
Controversial Solicitors Regulation Authority plans to cut the maximum award from its Compensation Fund from £2m to £500,000 are facing rejection by the Legal Services Board.
SRA backs new cyber-losses clause for indemnity policies
The extent to which losses caused by cyber attacks are covered by law firms’ professional indemnity insurance policies is to be clarified by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
IP lawyers face multi-million pound claim over “secret commissions”
A representative action has been launched against IP law firm Marks & Clerk alleging that it “grossly overcharged” thousands of SMEs through a “secret commissions scheme” with CPA Global.
Fine for solicitor who acted on both sides in “undue influence” house sale
A solicitor acted for both sides in a house sale at an undervalue between a 78-year-old woman and her 34-year-old boyfriend, which was set aside by the High Court on the grounds of undue influence.
Negligence claim against Irwin Mitchell thrown out after assignment
National law firm Irwin Mitchell has been granted summary judgment in a professional negligence claim because the retainer prevented its former client assigning his cause of action.
Law firm and top entrepreneur ramp up Thirdfort backing
Digital onboarding platform Thirdfort has secured £1.5m in its latest fundraising, with further backing from Zoopla entrepreneur Alex Chesterman and London law firm Mishcon de Reya.
