Firm awarded costs over paralegal’s “dishonest” disability claim
A law firm which faced a disability discrimination claim from a paralegal found to have doctored a document used to bolster his case has been awarded costs.
Law Commission rejects lawyers’ plea to narrow AML reporting
The Law Commission has rejected pleas from the legal profession to narrow the rule that all criminal activity that generates funds or other property is caught by the anti-money laundering regime.
Lord Chief Justice “to have veto” over extension of online courts
The government is set to give the Lord Chief Justice the power of veto over what areas of law are moved into an online court system, it has emerged.
New indemnity insurer offers rewards for well-behaved firms
A new professional indemnity insurer is claiming to be the first to offer well-run law firms “direct financial rewards” – such as a full premium rebate in a firm’s fourth year if it remained claims-free.
Asons creditors owed £28m as liquidators bring claim over sale
The liquidators of Asons are suing its successor practice, alleging that the controversial law firm was sold at an undervalue, it has emerged. Unsecured creditors have so far claimed they are owned some £28m.
Solicitor “used counsel and experts’ fees to prop up firm”
A solicitor who held on to money meant for counsel, experts and others for several years so as to aid his firm’s cash flow has been struck off. He only paid those who chased him for payment.
Firms receiving SRA advice “little better on AML than others”
Nearly half of solicitors’ firms that are part of the regulator’s relationship management regime have been referred to the disciplinary process for anti-money laundering failures, it has been disclosed.
SRA suggests requiring “cooling-off period” before NDAs are signed
Employees should be given a “cooling-off period” before signing non-disclosure agreements, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has suggested.
Judge tells law firm and ex-partner to sort out dispute in arbitration
The High Court has told well-known law firm Schillings and a former partner to sort out their ongoing dispute over his departure through arbitration.
Lawyers catalogue problems with whiplash portal build
Solicitors have criticised the Ministry of Justice for cutting corners in developing the new whiplash portal “in order to meet the politically driven deadline of April 2020” – and suggested it still cannot be met.
