Abuser fails in argument that ‘Covid pressure’ made conviction unsafe
The Court of Appeal has refused a man leave to appeal his conviction on the ground that the jury may have felt under pressure to return a verdict because the coronavirus crisis was developing.
Unregulated firms “will force traditional practices to get better”
The change last year allowing solicitors to practise from unregulated businesses will force traditional law firms to improve their service offering, the Competition and Markets Authority has been told.
Solicitor used ‘rubber’ cheques to hide client money misuse
A solicitor who moved client funds around different accounts to hide the money he was taking for himself – and caused pay-outs from the SRA Compensation Fund – has been struck off.
SRA “may not allow” firms to recharge cost of negative interest rates
The Solicitors Regulation Authority may not allow solicitors to pass on to clients the cost of holding their money if negative interest rates become a reality, an official has suggested.
Homeworking now a “reasonable adjustment” for disabled lawyers
Employment tribunals may in future need to recognise that homeworking has become an established ‘reasonable adjustment’ to working practices for disabled people, including lawyers.
Solicitor who sold business for £61m: I couldn’t do it in a law firm
The traditional law firm model does not support entrepreneurs who want to build and sell a business, according to the solicitor who last week sold his company for £61m.
Firm to start telling clients they won’t complete by end of SDLT holiday
A leading firm of conveyancers is to start telling new clients from next week that their transactions are unlikely to be completed by the end of the stamp duty holiday.
Research lays bare Bar’s gender and ethnicity pay gap
Female barristers and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are likely to earn less than male and White counterparts by every measure, new research has found.
Solicitor handed suspended sentence over indecent images
A solicitor who downloaded thousands of indecent images of children and shared some of the material online has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Legal Ombudsman seeks 19% budget hike
The Legal Ombudsman is planning a 19% increase in its budget for 2021/22, and a further 6% the year after, arguing the scheme is currently in an “unsustainable position”.
