Jail for ‘professional’ McKenzie Friend who defrauded clients of thousands of pounds
A ‘professional’ McKenzie Friend who targeted people unable to claim legal aid and then defrauded them of thousands of pounds has been jailed for three years. He offered cheap legal services to people involved in cases involving their children or grandchildren.
PC fee does not represent value for money, solicitors tell Law Society
The vast majority of solicitors who responded to a Law Society survey on the practising certificate fee said they thought it did not represent value for money. Many said the Law Society should get a bigger share and the Solicitors Regulation Authority a smaller one.
Law Society told to disclose letters about ‘Harry Potter solicitor’
The Law Society has been told by its freedom of information adjudicator to disclose letters and reports involving the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the charity run by Alan Blacker, the solicitor also known as Lord Harley, Legal Futures understands.
Kidwells launches accountancy joint venture – to add to its nine other branded businesses
An innovative Hereford-based alternative business structure has set up a joint venture with a Welsh accountancy firm, joining nine other branded businesses in the Kidwell Group, ranging from a barristers’ chambers to a guest house.
BSB seeks power to fine barristers cleared by disciplinary tribunals
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is seeking the power to impose fines of up to £1,000 on barristers cleared by disciplinary tribunals, it has emerged. It also wants greater scope to appeal to the High Court.
NewLaw owner acquires firm’s ABS joint venture partner
The listed company that owns NewLaw Solicitors is to acquire a fleet accident management group that itself has a joint venture alternative business structure with NewLaw. Redde has agreed to acquire the FMG group of companies for approximately £43.2m.
Former lawyers convicted of providing illegal immigration advice
A former solicitor and barrister have both been convicted and sentenced by magistrates for the providing unregulated immigration advice and services. They are the latest in a string of convictions for this offence.
Barrister who took BSB to judicial review hopes for “fair hearing” of forgery claims
Damian McCarthy, a barrister whose disbarment was overturned by the Court of Appeal, has said he is hoping for a “fair hearing” from a new Bar disciplinary tribunal. The Bar Standards Board said it remained of the view that he had acted dishonestly.
“Disgraceful” solicitor who used client account cash to keep firm afloat struck off
A solicitor who withdrew money more than 150 times from client accounts so as to keep his firm afloat has been struck off for his “disgraceful” behaviour. In mitigation, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal was told that the solicitor had “treated his practice as his family”.
Top five conveyancing firms gain most from property surge
The top five conveyancing firms handled 10% more transactions in the second quarter of this year than in the same quarter the previous year, research has shown. However, the bottom half of the top 100 have showed the fastest growth over the past four years.
