Bogus solicitors given jail time for providing immigration advice
A man who falsely claimed to be a solicitor has been jailed for 15 months after being guilty of providing unregulated immigration advice and services, while another who was actually a bus driver has been handed a suspended sentence.
Judges may not chair inquiries if MPs question recommendations, Beatson LJ warns
Judges may be reluctant to chair government inquiries if MPs on select committees question them about their recommendations, Lord Justice Beatson has warned. The judge said some MPs did not accept that chairing an inquiry was a “judicial function”.
SRA investigates immigration firm condemned by Leveson
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is investigating an immigration law firm condemned by Sir Brian Leveson for a “systemic failure” in the way it allowed an unqualified caseworker to issue a judicial review without supervision.
Barrister fined £4,000 for “conduct of sexual nature” towards pupil
A senior barrister has been fined £4,000 by a Bar disciplinary tribunal for conduct “of sexual nature” towards his female pupil. Meanwhile, another barrister has been rebuked after his clients were absent from court when he knew they had been told to arrive later, but did not tell the court.
Barrister finishes pupillage at personal injury solicitors
In a rare move, a barrister has been allowed to finish her pupillage at a personal injury law firm. Henrietta Hughes is set to become the first in-house counsel at Cheshire and London firm Hilary Meredith Solicitors when her pupillage ends in August.
North-west ABS targets non-legal services as it unveils group structure
North-west personal injury firm Thorneycroft Solicitors has been granted an alternative business structure licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as part of a major restructuring of its operations.
CourtNav set for expansion as it wins innovation award
CourtNav, an online tool designed to help litigants in person fill out court forms, could be offered not only by an advice service based at the High Court but by advice agencies around the country, it has emerged. It won the access to justice through IT award at this week’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards.
Law firm and barrister with top High Court win rates to be named by US analysts
The barrister and law firm with the top High Court win rates in England and Wales will be named later this month, Legal Futures has learned. The names will be included in a report from US analysts Premonition.
Solicitor agrees never to practise again in deal struck with SRA
A solicitor whose firm was shut down last year after failing to effect an orderly wind-down has agreed never to practise again in a deal struck with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. John David Arnott admitted to five charges relating to his practice in Witney, Oxfordshire.
Do you really know your clients? They prefer Corrie to EastEnders
A “typical” legal service user loves Strictly Come Dancing, prefers Coronation Street to EastEnders, regularly browses Facebook and follows Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross on Twitter. They are also married, in their later years of life, and financially stable – all according to the Legal Ombudsman.
