SDT blames mySRA problems as it rejects misconduct charges against solicitor
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has rejected misconduct charges against a solicitor who said he was the victim of technology problems with the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s online system, mySRA, that meant he was not aware of conditions attached to his practising certificate.
SRA to ask solicitors what they think about misconduct offences
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to ask solicitors how they judge the seriousness of misconduct offences in a new initiative on professional standards. The move will result in a policy statement and decision-making framework for the regulator’s staff.
Personal injury CMCs enjoy sharp rise in income to £310m as market stabilises
The turnover of personal injury claims management companies (CMCs) bounced back 27% to £310m last year as the market began to “stabilise”, it has emerged. Applications by personal injury CMCs for authorisation from the Ministry of Justice also increased by almost two-thirds.
Think tank calls for compulsory pro bono and oaths for newly-qualified lawyers
An influential think tank has called for the introduction of compulsory pro bono for lawyers, set at 10% of their “work output”. It said that for many lawyers, the law had become “no more than a revenue-generating business”.
Time for law firms to go back to school, says BPP chief
Legal apprenticeships “are going to be massive” and law firms will have to respond by recruiting A-Level students straight from school, the dean of BPP Law School has predicted. Peter Crisp said he also believed the SRA would “force through” a centralised assessment test for would-be solicitors.
QC to offer free direct access video surgery
A leading QC is to take part in a pioneering free direct access video surgery later this month. Stephen Harvey QC will be discussing business risk and regulation via a new online video platform. The approach has also won the backing of the Bar Council.
Small law firm partners charging only £50 per hour, survey finds
Some partners in small law firms are charging £50 per hour – only £10 more than the lowest paid fee-earners, a survey has found. In some firms equity partners took home less than non-partners.
High Court: solicitors had duty to advise on commercial element of deal
The High Court has dismissed a claim against a firm of solicitors, despite finding it negligent in failing to raise the absence of a covenant in restraint of competition during the purchase of a commercial property. It considered the lengths that a solicitor is expected to go to beyond facilitating the immediate transaction.
BSB criticises its training course but remains tight-lipped on future
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has strongly criticised the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), while remaining tight-lipped as to whether it should be scrapped. The criticisms came in a Future Bar Training consultation paper.
SDT rejects plea to avoid strike-off from solicitor convicted of possessing indecent images
A solicitor convicted of child pornography offences has been struck off after his plea to be suspended instead so that he might retain some dignity and as an acknowledgement of his efforts in the profession was rejected.
