“Sloppy is an understatement” – solicitor sanctioned over dubious transaction
A solicitor who “failed to distinguish between the personal and professional” when doing business with a family he knew, meaning that he overlooked signs of possible money laundering, has been sanctioned by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. It said his own description of his work as sloppy was “an understatement”.
Specialist law firms “eyeing market share” from larger and high street rivals
Both larger and high street firms are set to “lose out” in the face of competition from specialist practices as well as non-legal businesses in the coming years, new research has shown. A more “artisan/bespoke” approach is set to gain ground, according to the report.
Not-for-profit criminal firm takes business-like approach and plots future civil work
The first not-for-profit criminal law firm – which opened its doors last month – has underlined its intention to generate surpluses like any other business; it will just distribute them differently. The firm is arranged as a co-operative and set up as a community interest company.
Exclusive: Barristers4U aims to sell advantages of direct access to public
A new brand selling direct access barristers to the general public for consumer law matters has gone live, Legal Futures can reveal. Meanwhile, the first, basic iteration of Billy Bot, the ‘robot junior clerk’ being created by Clerksroom, has gone live.
S&G legal move triggered by impending break-up of Quindell group
The impending break-up of the company formerly known as Quindell was a factor in the timing of Slater & Gordon’s decision to start legal proceedings over alleged fraudulent misrepresentation in the deal to buy Quindell’s professional services division, the firm has said.
Indefinite suspension for solicitor who opted to pay off bank instead of £605,000 owed to HMRC
A solicitor has been suspended indefinitely after breaching conduct rules by preferring his bank as a creditor over Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs, leaving the Exchequer hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket as a result. John Barrie Wilson had already been also disqualified as a director because of the shortfall.
Slater & Gordon to sue Quindell vendor for £600m over “fraudulent misrepresentation”
Slater & Gordon is to sue the company formerly known as Quindell for £600m on the basis that, but for fraudulent misrepresentation, it would not have agreed the deal that has almost brought the listed law firm to its knees.
High Court again overturns SDT ruling that cleared solicitor over Axiom fund borrowing
The High Court has overturned a decision by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal to clear a solicitor who borrowed money from the controversial Axiom Legal Financing Fund of charges of misconduct – five months after another ruling involving two solicitors who took an Axiom loan was also reversed.
Engineering consultancy launches ABS – but hopes to avoid competing with law firm clients
A leading provider of consultancy and expert witness services to the engineering sector has launched an alternative business structure (ABS) in a bid to add regulated legal services to its offering for corporate clients. The company is headed by the former senior partner of Wragge & Co.
Nuisance marketing company that made 100m cold calls receives record fine
A company behind 100m nuisance calls has been fined a record £400,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office after more than 1,000 people complained about automated calls. The calls, made over an 18-month period, related to a wide range of subjects but mainly road traffic accident claims and PPI compensation.
