Bar disciplinary tribunal to rehear disbarment overturned by Court of Appeal
A long-running disciplinary case involving accusations that a barrister forged client care letters must be heard again, the Visitors to the Inns of Court have ruled. They said there was “no basis” for saying that the barrister would be deprived of a fair hearing “by reason of delay and/or any prior knowledge” of BSB witnesses.
Good news for law firms as High Court rejects insurer’s bid to cap liability for multiple claims
Solicitors’ professional indemnity insurers cannot aggregate multiple related claims when the terms of the transactions are not conditional or dependent upon each other, the High Court has decided in a ruling said to protect law firms from financial risk.
Vulnerable could lose out under new consumer credit regime, panel warns
Vulnerable people could lose out under the latest plans by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for the regulation of consumer credit work, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has warned. Meanwhile the Law Society called for greater clarity on payment of legal fees by instalments.
LSB concerned that practising fees are not falling even though SRA is spending less
The Legal Services Board has expressed concern that the cost of practising as a solicitor remains the same even though the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budget continues to fall. In all, Chancery Lane is looking to raise £105.8m.
Potential shareholder claims hit 850 after “breathtaking” Quindell restatements
The number of potential shareholder claims against Quindell plc has hit 850 in the wake of last week’s “breathtaking” financial restatements, it has emerged. The number of potential claimants had been “increasingly fairly steadily”, but “there was a surge over the last week or so”.
Former prosecutor takes reins at Legal Ombudsman
A former Chief Crown Prosecutor has been named as the new chief executive of the Legal Ombudsman. Barrister Nick Hawkins, who spent 15 years in the Crown Prosecution Service, is currently chief operating officer for the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
BSB investigating 17 barristers at same chambers over complaints about behaviour towards pupils
The Bar Standards Board is investigating 17 barristers at the same chambers over complaints about a ‘failure to act appropriately towards pupils’, it has emerged. Its annual enforcement report also showed that nine investigations were started into barristers with drink-driving convictions in 2014/15.
Solicitor rebuked for actions in retirement
A retired solicitor who was not clear about his status with a client, and provided reserved legal activities in the mistaken belief that he could do so, has accepted a rebuke and fine from the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Meanwhile, a solicitor convicted of bringing fraudulent PI claims has agreed to remove himself from the profession.
Another unregulated adviser sentenced for providing immigration services
A Birmingham man who provided unregulated immigration advice has become the latest operator in the sector to be convicted for his actions. He was sentenced to a community order for 24 weeks, concurrent for each offence, and made subject to a curfew.
High Court: Doctrine of repudiatory breach does not apply to LLPs with more than two members
The common law doctrine of repudiatory breach does not apply to limited liability partnerships (LLPs) with more than two members, the High Court has held, in what is believed to be the first ruling of its kind.
