Solicitor “who left his moral compass at home” used client money to prop up firm
A solicitor who “left his moral compass at home” as took money from client account to try and keep his firm afloat has been struck off, and the cashier who assisted him banned from the profession. The firm, Handley Brown in Preston, had three county court judgments against it and faced a winding-up petition.
CMCs that want to advise and represent clients “will need to prove competence”, says Treasury
Claims management companies that want to advise clients, rather than just find and refer claims to others, will have to show that they are competent to do so when regulation is transferred to the Financial Conduct Authority, it has emerged. It could have significant implications for CMCs eyeing up the chance to run personal injury small claims.
High Court judge flays conduct of immigration solicitors and refers three firms to SRA
A furious High Court judge has castigated immigration solicitors for playing the system and referred three law firms to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for conduct displaying “a serious and persistent failure to adhere to proper standards”.
Government and Labour to keep talking on details of CMC cold-calling ban
The government has agreed to further talks with the Labour opposition about the nature of the proposed ban on cold-calling by claims management companies. The Financial Guidance and Claims Bill had its report and third reading earlier this week with the two sides yet to agree on whether the government’s proposed ban goes far enough.
Stressed junior lawyers looking to move jobs, survey finds
Two-fifths of junior lawyers have looked for another job as a result of the level of stress their current role is causing them, according to a survey out today. Over 82% of the 959 respondents reported either regularly or occasionally feeling stressed in the month before completing the survey, with 26% of them being severely or extremely stressed.
Leveson sounds warning bell over lawyers shunning careers in criminal law
Failure to make criminal practice – whether for the prosecution or the defence – an attractive career choice will have “long term and detrimental consequences” for the quality of justice, the president of the Queen’s Bench Division has warned.
SDT criticises solicitor for “misleading” evidence on husband’s £80,000 investment in firm
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has strongly criticised a solicitor who gave “misleading” evidence on her husband’s £80,000 investment in a personal injury firm, which it said encouraged her to pay banned referral fees.
Legal aid strike: Solicitors “should help clients represent themselves” if they can’t find barrister, says SRA
Criminal law solicitors unable to find a barrister because of their protest over legal aid fees “may need to assist the client to represent themselves as best they can” if the court will not grant an adjournment, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned.
Large London firms embracing agile working and AI could cut collective £495m rent
Twice as many large City law firms had adopted ‘agile working’ policies by the start of 2018 as had a year earlier, and have been quicker than non-law businesses to embrace artificial intelligence technology, according to a survey about office use. Between them, the top 100 firms – when ranked by office floorspace in London – spend a total of £495m per annum on rent.
Opposition raise serious doubts about Civil Liability Bill but several peers support overall direction
Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats yesterday questioned the government’s approach to reforming whiplash claims, although several peers in the House of Lords backed the overall direction of the Civil Liability Bill. The four-hour debate highlighted a number of concerns about the bill, and we have reported proceedings in detail.
