Solicitor took £2m of client money in pursuit of “lottery win”
A former senior partner who plundered £2m from his firm’s client accounts as well as both private and charitable trusts after falling victim to a lottery scam has been thrown out of the profession.
Regulator considers cap on fees charged by personal injury CMCs
The Financial Conduct Authority is to explore whether to use its power to cap the fees charged by personal injury claims management companies, it has emerged.
Digital conveyancing used to market high-value commercial property
The march of blockchain-backed property transactions accelerated this week when a high-value commercial building went on the market with online execution offered by a digital estate agent.
AI-backed contract review “decodes obscure language”
Artificial intelligence has been deployed to bridge the gap between ‘legalease’ and plain English, standardising something that has long been the exclusive preserve of lawyers.
Exclusive: Unregulated virtual firm granted SRA waiver
An unregulated version of a ‘dispersed’ or ‘virtual’ law firm has been granted a waiver by the SRA so that its solicitors can practise under their professional titles, Legal Futures can reveal.
PII reform views “evolving” due to market changes
There are powerful reasons why the SRA and Law Society could reverse their positions respectively in favour of and against reform of professional indemnity insurance, it has been claimed.
SRA chair pledges greater transparency – but not to reopen meetings
The chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority has set out plans for its board to work in an open and “accountable” way – but its board meetings remain closed to outside scrutiny.
Tory debate solicitor suspended for tweet “was being sarcastic”
A solicitor at the centre of a row after asking a question on Tuesday’s BBC debate between the prospective leaders of the Conservative Party has tried to defuse the situation following his suspension.
Legal profession launches pledge to achieve gender equality
Solicitors, barristers and chartered legal executives, supported by Lord Chancellor David Gauke, have launched a pledge to “achieve gender equality in senior ranks of the profession”.
High Court issues indefinite litigation ban to vexatious ex-solicitor
The High Court has put a permanent stop to years of vexatious litigation pursued by a struck-off solicitor against the Law Society, Bar Council, senior judges and many others.
