Government eyes stronger powers to discipline solicitors as part of insurance fraud crackdown
The government yesterday accepted recommendations for stronger fining powers for the Solicitors Regulation Authority, a lower burden of proof before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, and the need to introduce further measures to discourage ‘late’ personal injury claims, in the next stage of its crackdown on fraudulent behaviour.
Dual-qualified barrister disbarred 10 years after being struck off as solicitor
A barrister turned solicitor has been disbarred 10 years after he was struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. He did not tell the Bar about the decision and the Bar Standards Board only became aware of it last year when Lloyd Aneke applied for restoration to the roll of solicitors.
Barrister loses appeal over costs award after successfully defending herself at Bar tribunal
The Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling that a barrister who successfully defended herself in disciplinary proceedings should not be paid costs at the £120 hourly rate allowed by a tribunal-appointed assessor. But it upheld the basic principle that barristers in such situations can claim their costs at a rate higher than that of a normal litigant-in-person.
Solicitor launches website to help SMEs and consumers access unbundled advice
A Yorkshire solicitor has launched a website to help small businesses and consumers obtain fixed price unbundled advice. James Martin, founder and director of ClaimItOnline, launched today, said the website was particularly aimed at small businesses with disputes worth up to £50,000.
LSB and SRA oppose ban on professional McKenzie Friends
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has joined the Solicitors Regulation Authority in opposing a ban on professional McKenzie Friends. The LSB said the judiciary had not explained why a ban was necessary, what harm it would address or what the consequences might be for consumers.
High Court throws out ‘named and shamed’ barrister’s disciplinary appeals
The High Court has thrown out two appeals against Bar disciplinary tribunal decisions by “named and shamed” barrister Tariq Rehman. It has also refused permission for him to proceed with two judicial reviews and had no truck with the arguments he put forward.
CLC seeks approval for solicitor-style indemnity scheme
The Council of Licensed Conveyancers has announced its intention to apply to the Legal Services Board to approve the introduction of a solicitor-style open market indemnity scheme. The move has triggered warnings that law firms may switch regulator from the Solicitors Regulation Authority to the CLC for the wrong reasons.
Only 30% of people with legal issues seek formal advice, biggest-ever survey finds
Only three in ten people who have a legal issue seek advice, and of them just over half go to a lawyer, the biggest ever survey of individuals’ legal needs has found. The poll of 8,192 people also found that assuming that services would be too expensive was the most common reason for not using solicitors.
LSB research highlights surge in Law Society spending on ‘permitted purposes’
Law Society spending on non-regulatory ‘permitted purposes’, such as law reform and practice support, surged by £6.3m in the four years between 2010 and 2014, research by the Legal Services Board has revealed. The research was part of the LSB’s investigation into the cost of legal services regulation.
Judges who viewed porn at work rebuked by SRA
One of three judges removed from the bench last year for viewing pornography from a work computer, along with another who resigned before he was removed, have accepted rebukes from the Solicitors Regulation Authority for their conduct.
