Compliance & Regulation
Solicitor fails in challenge to suspension over litigation misconduct
The High Court has rejected an appeal by a solicitor suspended for a year for engaging in “persistent, abusive litigation conduct”.
Rapson sets out priorities for turning round SRA performance
Changes in how solicitors are supervised, taking more time to listen to the profession and reviewing the threshold for action are among the SRA’s priorities for this year.
Rebuke for senior partner who used client account for personal matter
The senior partner of a London law firm has been rebuked for using its client account as a banking facility to deal with a personal matter.
SRA warns against making law firms take “remedial action” on EDI
A proposed rule requiring law firms to take “remedial action” to address disparities in equality, diversity and inclusion goes too far, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned.
Scotland: English invasion “shows need for urgent ABS action”
The recent entry of two English ABSs into Scotland highlights the need for urgent action to allow non-lawyer ownership there, a campaign group has argued.
Man struck off and jailed for fraud refused return to roll of solicitors
A man struck off as a solicitor 18 years ago and then jailed for fraud has failed in his bid to rejoin the profession.
SRA warns of potential cost to profession of role in ILCA scheme
Solicitors may be faced with higher costs if the government wants the SRA involved in managing an Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme, it has warned.
Third Daily Mail sting solicitor cleared of misconduct
All three solicitors accused by the Daily Mail of offering to help an undercover reporter concoct false asylum claims have now been cleared of misconduct.
Case for review of reserved activities is growing, says new LSB chief
The case for a review of the list of reserved legal activities “is growing, and we intend to make it”, the new chief executive of the Legal Services Board has said.
Solicitor who misappropriated £1m from firm is struck off
A solicitor who misappropriated £1m from his law firm and forged bank records to cover it up has been struck off.
Solicitor who lied in meeting “was protecting client”
A solicitor who knowingly lied in a meeting has escaped being struck off because a tribunal accepted that he did so to protect his client.
Largest law firms continue to lag behind in partnership diversity
The country’s largest law firms continue to lag behind the rest of the profession in promoting women and ethnic minority solicitors to partner, authoritative new figures have shown.
ILCA scheme “should take all interest” on pooled client accounts
The government’s proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme will be “an international outlier” if it takes only 75% of the interest from pooled accounts.
LSB member resigns to speak out over attack on jury trial
A member of the Legal Services Board has resigned so that she can speak out against the government’s proposals to curb jury trials.
Barrister’s claim against Neidle ruled first statutory SLAPP
A barrister’s £8m libel and malicious falsehood claim against high-profile tax lawyer Dan Neidle was yesterday found a statutory SLAPP, the first time a court has made such a declaration.
Blog
Strong AML controls are meaningless with incomplete data
One expectation as the FCA takes control of anti-money laundering oversight is a move towards more supervision rather than simply writing new rules.
Navigating the legal AI productivity-profitability paradox
Firms are achieving efficiencies through AI, especially in the practice of law. Yet many are struggling to see that reflected in their financial outcomes
Regulation, growth and access to justice: why legal services need a reset
Well-intentioned consumer protections embedded in the regulation of legal services increasingly act as barriers to innovation, competition and access to justice.
