SRA bans paralegal and trainee from working for law firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has banned a paralegal at an alternative business structure and a trainee solicitor at former Hull firm Ward Legal from working for law firms. The SRA said the paralegal sent e-mails to his partner at another law firm making comments that “failed to encourage equality of opportunity and respect for diversity”.
High Court imposes restraint order on “obsessional” litigant who targeted lawyers
The High Court has imposed an extended civil restraint order on an “obsessional” libel litigant who sent over 100 text messages to the mobile phone of a partner at Pinsent Masons acting for Google UK. She also made complaints to professional bodies.
Bar chairman warns on post-Brexit practising rights
The ramifications of leaving the European Union are likely to be wide-ranging and could restrict the ability of barristers to practise outside England and Wales, the chairman of the Bar Council has warned. Chantal-Aimee Doerries QC said the Bar Council was setting up a working group on the impact of Brexit.
ABS gives away software tool to help companies check contracts for Brexit impact
Innovative alternative business structure Radiant Law has created a Microsoft Word-based tool to help in-house counsel check the impact of Brexit on their commercial contracts – and is giving it away for free. Meanwhile, magic circle firm Clifford Chance has struck a deal with artificial intelligence software provider Kira Systems.
Solicitor agrees to leave profession over “dishonest” CV
A solicitor whose CV was full of professional and academic qualifications he did not have has agreed to remove himself from the profession in a move akin to being struck off. He used the CV when he became a consultant in the London office of Canadian firm McCarthy Tetrault.
Solicitor trustees not liable for £1.5m loss on investments, High Court rules
Three solicitors at a Hertfordshire-based law firm who acted as professional executors are not liable for breach of trust after beneficiaries claimed they had lost almost £1.5m on investments, the High Court has ruled.
“A threat to democracy” – Mishcon de Reya in the firing line over Brexit legal action
Has any law firm ever made the news like London law firm Mishcon de Reya did yesterday? It was the subject of headlines around the world – and faced accusations that it could cause riots on the streets – after announcing on Sunday that it was representing a group of unnamed clients in seeking to ensure that it is Parliament that triggers article 50 and the UK’s formal exit from the EU.
Barrister launches direct access private prosecutions practice
A criminal law barrister has launched a direct access website to facilitate private prosecutions by people with cases that the Crown Prosecution Service and police have failed to pursue. He said his website had generated five cases already after being up and running only “a couple of months”.
LSB: new Legal Services Act needed to finish the job of market reform
The Legal Services Act 2007 has improved quality and, to some extent, competition in legal services, but further legislative reform is necessary to complete the liberalisation of the market, the Legal Services Board said today in its triennial evaluation of the Act.
Tribunal strikes off solicitor who claimed misconduct was a “cry for help”
A solicitor who took money from vulnerable people for whom she was the court-appointed deputy – and even kept some of it in cash in her wardrobe – has been struck off after the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal ruled that her conduct was more than just a “cry for help”.
