Compliance & Regulation
Solicitor struck off for asking client to pay fees into his bank account
A criminal defence solicitor who asked a client to pay his law firm’s fees into his personal bank account has been struck off for dishonesty.
Barrister fined for accusing senior judge of misconduct loses appeal
The High Court has dismissed an appeal by a barrister fined £15,000 for making an “unfounded and serious allegation of misconduct in public office” against a senior judge.
New approach to client complaints may be needed in age of AI
Existing approaches to legal services complaints handling “might not be suited to the challenges posed” by the age of AI, the Law Society has warned.
LeO directs law firm to pay £49k in latest public interest decisions
The Legal Ombudsman directed London law firm Laytons to pay £49,000 in compensation to a client for failing to register her lease extension in the latest batch of public interest decisions.
Sports solicitor fails in challenge to SRA intervention
A High Court judge has rejected a high-profile sports lawyer’s challenge to an intervention in his law firm by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
SRA highlights spike in conduct complaints amid “outsourcing ruse”
Misconduct reports about solicitors have risen 27% in the past year – and 58% over two years – the Solicitors Regulation Authority has revealed.
Financial Services Bill will be vehicle for AML switch to FCA
The government is set to legislate to transfer the anti-money laundering supervision of lawyers to the Financial Conduct Authority, it has emerged.
Judge refers solicitors to SRA for fake AI-generated cases
A circuit judge has referred two solicitors to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for submitting hallucinated cases to the court.
“Significant new evidence” in employment judge misconduct case
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office has agreed to reinvestigate allegations of bullying and intimidation against Employment Judge Philip Lancaster, in light of “significant new evidence”.
Tribunal clears law clinic solicitor of trying to mislead employer
An immigration solicitor has been cleared of misleading her employer over her conduct of an asylum case after a three-day Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearing.
King’s Speech: No litigation funding, SLAPPs or AML reform
The King’s Speech yesterday was notable as much for what was not in it as what was, with significant omissions including the promised litigation funding bill.
Barrister who put client’s interests ahead of duty to court disbarred
A barrister who knowingly allowed a judge and opposing party in a family law case to be misled during a hearing has been disbarred for “professional dishonesty”.
Ban for male employee who targeted firm’s young female staff
A facilities assistant at a law firm who targeted young female staff with “inappropriate” gifts and messages has been barred from working in the profession.
CA overturns referral of KC for contempt hearing over closing speech
The Court of Appeal has set aside a Crown Court judge’s referral of a KC for contempt of court proceedings after finding the High Court did not have the jurisdiction to pursue them.
Good Law Project urges review of BSB decision on gender-critical barrister
The Good Law Project is challenging the Bar Standards Board’s decision to reject its complaint against a barrister over her social media posts about a trans woman.
Blog
The SRA’s strict liability gamble has failed. Good
The Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in Dentons v SRA on 27 April, and the profession is right to welcome it. It is the second time in short succession that the court has corrected the SRA.
How AI presents real opportunities for barristers
AI presents real opportunities to improve access to justice and to support barristers in day-to-day legal practice. But we all need to understand and mitigate the risks.
Not everything can be a competition issue – a new dawn for consumer redress
Last month, the Law Commission launched a new project to “consider the potential introduction of a consumer class actions regime” in England and Wales.
