Compliance & Regulation
Partner struck off for misleading client and firm over visa progress
A partner who misled his client and his supervising partner about the progress of the client’s visa application has been struck off.
Solicitor who secured release of client’s money then breached rules
A solicitor who successfully released money frozen in a client’s bank account then broke the accounts rules by having it transferred into her firm’s client account.
LSB shaves budget demand but lawyers still face 11% rise
The Legal Services Board has trimmed its proposed budget increase for 2025-26 but it is still to rise by 11% – adding £3.05 onto every regulated lawyer’s practising fees.
Trio of solicitors rebuked for dormant balances and suspense ledgers
Three former directors of a law firm have been rebuked for allowing it to accrue hundreds of dormant balances and five suspense ledgers that between them held £930,000.
Tribunal reduced suspension for sexual misconduct barrister
“Exceptional” personal mitigation led a tribunal to reduce the suspension of a male barrister who harassed a woman at his chambers’ Christmas party below the indicative sentence.
Solicitor who practised while suspended is struck off
A solicitor who practised while suspended has been struck off, while the law firm owner who unwittingly employed him received a suspended sentence.
Solicitor suspended for not disclosing own-interest conflict
A law firm owner has been suspended for not disclosing conflicts of interest to clients, including that his wife was a director of the property development company they were buying from.
Solicitors set to pay £38m towards Law Society’s representative work
Solicitors are set to pay £38m towards being represented by the Law Society after it announced plans for a 2% rise in the income it takes from the annual practising fees.
Judge “helped duty solicitor avoid security checks”
A tribunal judge who let a solicitor bypass security checks to enter a courthouse – leading to a confrontation with security staff – has been given formal advice for misconduct.
Council fines law firm for breaking law in collecting rent for clients
The First-tier Tribunal has upheld an £8,400 fine imposed on a law firm for not belonging to a client money protection scheme while collecting rent for properties owned by clients.
Blog
It’s time for law firms to ask tougher questions
For years, many law firms have treated ID verification as a box-ticking exercise. Run a liveness check, match a face to a document and move on. But that is no longer good enough.
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
