Compliance & Regulation
Mixed response to government review of legal services regulation
Initial reactions to the government’s plan for a “comprehensive review” of legal services regulation have been mixed, with the Bar Council making clear its opposition to a single regulator.
Barrister reported to BSB over “hateful rhetoric towards Jews”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism has referred a barrister to the Bar Standards Board over her “hateful rhetoric towards Jews”, as regulator revealed a spike in social media complaints.
Government backs “comprehensive review” of legal services regulation
The government is to undertake a “comprehensive review” of whether legal services regulation remains fit for purpose, the Ministry of Justice revealed today.
‘Polluter pays’ means profession set to pay less for LeO
The Legal Ombudsman’s budget is set to rise by 6.9% next year but the levy on lawyers to pay for it will fall because of the stronger ‘polluter pays’ regime of case fees.
AML: Conveyancers “should report membership of developer panels”
Property developers should be regulated for anti-money laundering purposes and conveyancers should have to report annually on membership of their panels.
Law firm can keep acting in dispute after partner swapped sides
A law firm representing a woman in a dispute with her ex-husband can continue to act despite hiring the partner who previously supervised the legal work for him, the High Court has ruled.
SRA “keeping close eye” on accumulator law firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is conducting monthly “intelligence-led reviews and risk assessments” of so-called accumulator firms, it has emerged.
Trainee solicitor and paralegal banned for sexual offences convictions
A trainee solicitor and paralegal have been banned from working in the profession following separate convictions that included attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
SDT refuses to lift “punitive” restrictions on solicitor’s PC
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has refused to lift restrictions on the practising certificate of a solicitor which he failed to show were “punitive in effect”.
Judge handed warning for comments about Roma community
A tribunal judge has been given a formal warning for making “disparaging generalisations” about the Roma community to other members of the tribunal.
“Lazy” solicitor cleared of tipping off client about police probe
A veteran solicitor has been cleared of tipping off a client about a police investigation but fined for multiple failures in running his practice, which were put down to “laziness”.
Witnesses of fact and experts “should have to declare AI use” to court
The use of AI in preparing witness statements and expert reports should be declared to the court, the Civil Justice Council has recommended.
High Court judge reprimanded for judgment delays
A senior High Court judge has been issued with a reprimand for delays of up to 13 months in handing down five judgments.
SRA review sees disciplinary tribunal cases withdrawn
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has withdrawn several cases from the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal out of concern that it could not establish dishonesty.
Six out of 10 British Bar students do not secure a pupillage
Nearly six out of 10 Bar students from the UK do not secure a pupillage within five years of enrolling on their training courses, prompting the Bar Standards Board to launch a review.
Blog
Regulate sole practices on evidence, not turnover
For a sole practice, the SRA’s plan that I cannot hold a compliance role if my firm has more than £600,000 of turnover is not a measure of risk. It is a ceiling on growth.
Is Google becoming pay-to-play for law firms?
For years, law firms have been told that SEO is the long-term alternative to paying for every click. That principle hasn’t disappeared but search results have changed significantly.
Material information and the case for intelligent client onboarding
Upfront information means work traditionally undertaken after an offer is accepted will need to happen earlier. And that fundamentally changes the role of client onboarding.
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