Compliance & Regulation
Suspended suspension for “manifestly incompetent” solicitor
A “manifestly incompetent” solicitor who facilitated one fraudulent and three potentially fraudulent property transactions has been given a suspended suspension.
Law Society tells LeO: Focus on performance, not reform
The Law Society is urging the Legal Ombudsman not to launch a fundamental review of its rules when it should be focusing on reducing its backlog of cases.
Compliance officers have “poor” knowledge of obligations
Law firm compliance officers have “poor” knowledge of the SRA reporting and record-keeping requirements, according to research by the regulator.
Managing partner “did not instigate” drunken kiss with paralegal
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has rejected an allegation that a managing partner instigated a non-consensual drunken kiss with a much younger paralegal.
Law Society applies to intervene in Mazur appeal
The Law Society is to seek to intervene in the Mazur appeal amid specialist lawyers’ prediction that more costs disputes are on the way following the High Court decision.
Solicitor without PC took money for work he never did
A solicitor who deceived a convicted client into believing he had a practising certificate, took money to pursue an appeal and then did not do the work has been struck off.
SRA fails with two high-profile SLAPPs prosecutions
Two high-profile Solicitors Regulation Authority prosecutions for alleged misconduct by libel lawyers failed last week.
SRA disqualifies “dishonest” non-solicitor directors of SSB Group
Two non-solicitor directors of SSB Group have been disqualified from working in the profession after the Solicitors Regulation Authority found they had been dishonest.
MP: Moving lawyers’ AML oversight to FCA “will help fraud fight”
Moving the supervision of lawyers’ anti-money laundering activities to the Financial Conduct Authority will strengthen the fight against fraud, a campaigning MP has told Legal Futures.
SRA urges target firms in acquisitions not to ignore due diligence
An SRA review of law firm acquisitions has highlighted failures and behaviours on the part of some target firms as a cause for concern.
SRA targets accountant’s reports and sole owners in shake-up
All law firm accountant’s reports will have to be submitted to the SRA in future, and sole owners will not generally be allowed to hold compliance roles too, under proposals published today.
SRA shuts down four law firms in three days
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has shut down four law firms so far this week – two of them connected to the same man.
Don’t forget human support in the rush to digital, lawyers told
Both the structure and delivery of legal services – such as a lack of guidance and reactive communication – can cause difficulties for consumers, new research has found.
LSB: “Significant concerns” over viability of Legal Ombudsman
The Legal Services Board has expressed “significant concerns about the viability” of the Legal Ombudsman scheme as it struggles to get its caseload under control.
Law firms need to keep “meaningful offline routes” to services
Digitally excluded consumers need law firms to maintain “meaningful offline routes” to services because “digital transformation is not inherently progressive”, says a report for four legal regulators.
Blog
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
The power of participation for trainees and apprentices
It’s important as a trainee or an apprentice to get involved in the life of your firm – even under the pressure of discovering how to navigate professional life and now the demands of the SQE.
