Can you spare a tenner?
This week’s Question of Ethics from the Solicitors Regulation Authority looks at whether a firm can unilaterally dispose of a small amount left in client account.
Criminal barristers need to transform into “litigation units” to survive, says bar chief
The criminal bar needs to transform itself into “fully functioning litigation units” within the next 12 to 24 months if it wants to survive, the chairman of the Bar Council has warned in a paper that sets out his vision for how the bar needs to change to meet the challenges of the Legal Services Act.
High street solicitors need to be “suspicious and paranoid” to avoid AML errors
High street solicitors must adopt an attitude of suspicion and paranoia to avoid becoming “collateral damage” in police efforts to clamp down on fraud, an anti-money laundering (AML) conference in London heard last week.
Scottish MPs reject 100% external ownership, seek professional majority in ABSs
Alternative business structures (ABSs) in Scotland are set to need majority ownership of solicitors or other professionals after a vote in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
SOCA praises quality of solicitors’ SARs
Suspicious activity reports submitted by solicitors have led to the successful prosecution of frauds worth millions of pounds, according to the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
Hayter calls for lay majority on SRA board, and tells Law Society off over governance
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has indicated its desire to see the composition of the board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority change before the end of the current members’ terms so as to achieve a lay majority.
Edmonds hit backs hard at Law Society criticism of LSB and fears over independence
The chairman of the Legal Services Board has hit back at Law Society criticism of his organisation, and warned that Chancery Lane is creating an unnecessarily complex relationship with the Solicitors Regulation Authority that goes against the recommendations of the Hunt review.
Coalition: ABSs are the future for the law
The Coalition government has scotched rumours that it is to scrap alternative business structures (ABSs), Legal Futures can confirm. We further understand that both ABSs and the Office for Legal Complaints are likely to get the green light from the Cabinet committee set up last week to review all upcoming regulation.
Repairing the damage
This week’s Question of Ethics from the Solicitors Regulation Authority looks at the circumstances under which the SRA will allow a solicitor to breach an undertaking without entertaining a complaint about it.
Exclusive: solicitors repay £1m to clients to end SRA investigations
Solicitors have agreed to pay back to clients over £1 million to end investigations being conducted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Legal Futures can reveal.
