Suspension for solicitor who allowed “financial chaos” to reign at firm
A solicitor who oversaw “financial chaos” in his practice has been suspended, with a tribunal imposing conditions on his return to the profession in the future to ensure he does not hold a management position. He was also sanctioned for failing to co-operate with the Legal Ombudsman.
Lawyer-matching service for SMEs bids to crowdfund £360k as it eyes major growth
A lawyer-matching service for SMEs has raised £50,000 in less than three days as it bids to crowdfund £360,000 for the next stage of its development. LawyerFair told potential investors that “legal services are an inefficient, low innovation marketplace” and that within three years it would be turning over £4.6m.
Woman who used conveyancers to litigate probate dispute told to repay money lost to estate
A woman who obtained a grant of letters of administration and then used a firm of licensed conveyancers to defend herself against a claim from other potential beneficiaries, has been told by the High Court that she has to pay back to the estate nearly £87,000 given to the firm that has been lost.
SRA strikes off dishonest solicitor but says he could still play role in profession
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has struck off a solicitor who forged correspondence with the Legal Aid Agency, but in an unusual coda to its ruling said he still had “something to offer to the public and providers of legal services generally”.
“We’re watching you” – Legal Services Board warns Law Society over £61m IT project
The Legal Services Board has fired a warning shot across the bows of the Law Society in the wake of the latter’s decision to spend £61m over four years on new IT systems for both its representative and regulatory arms.
Slater & Gordon stems losses and says UK changes are “starting to bear fruit”
Slater & Gordon has seen its performance improve significantly in the first half of 2016 – with changes in the UK starting “to bear fruit” – and its upcoming annual results will show that the acquisition of Quindell’s professional services division has nearly doubled its turnover.
Solicitor leaves profession after acting for both sides in property deal, another rebuked for “abusive language”
A solicitor who acted on both sides of a conveyancing transaction without written consent has agreed to leave the profession. Meanwhile, a solicitor who abused a potential client and sent a “threatening” e-mail to another practitioner has been rebuked and fined £750.
Force family lawyers to offer fixed fees, consumer panel suggests
Family law specialists should be required to work under fixed fees, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has suggested as it ramped up its call for regulatory intervention to improve transparency in the market. It said family law was one area where it advised that regulators “should now consider mandating fixed fees”.
PI reforms “discouraging” listed Australian law firm from entering UK
The uncertainties around the personal injury reforms in England and Wales has caused Australia’s ‘other’ listed law firm to row back on plans to enter the market. Shine Lawyers, a leading personal injury practice, has been talking about expanding to the UK, but in its 2016 annual report indicated that these are on hold.
SRA allows suspended solicitor to work for law firm as unadmitted member of staff
A recently suspended solicitor has been allowed to work for a law firm as an unadmitted member of staff under very strict conditions, the Solicitors Regulation Authority announced yesterday. Meanwhile, a solicitor who acted for disgraced former MEP Ashley Mote has been referred to a disciplinary tribunal.
