Solicitors
Law firm sanctioned over conveyancing conflicts
A law firm that also owns an estate agency and acted for seller, buyer and as the seller’s agent in 14 conveyancing transactions has been fined over conflicts of interest.
New rules to bolster legal regulators’ independence
New rules which clearly limit the influence the Law Society can have on the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and the Bar Council on the Bar Standards Board, have been published.
SRA warns against ‘mutual recognition’ in Brexit trade deals
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has urged the government not to agree to the mutual recognition of other countries’ legal qualifications in post-Brexit trade deals.
Lawyers in firing line of Home Office’s serious crime strategy
Lawyers are both “key facilitators” of serious and organised crime, and an “important part” of the response to it, the government said yesterday.
Solicitor jailed for 21 years over sex offences struck off
A solicitor has been struck off after being jailed for 21 years for sexual offences, in which he used his professional status to hide his actions.
Solicitor “lived in property bought by estate she was administering”
A solicitor who bought an investment property with money from an estate and then lived in it, and also billed 68 hours for one day’s work, has been struck off.
SDT “should have adjourned” hearing involving bipolar man
The SDT should have adjourned a hearing at which it banned a law firm marketing chief from the profession for accepting kick-backs from referral fees, the High Court has ruled.
Solicitor paid B&B and caravan park income into client account
A solicitor who paid over £100,000 in income from her bed and breakfast and caravan park businesses into her firm’s client account has been fined £15,000.
Tribunal ups fine for solicitor who broke restraining order
A criminal law solicitor convicted of breaking a restraining order has been fined by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal more than he originally agreed with his regulator.
Solicitor who defrauded clients of £144,000 is struck off
A solicitor jailed for five years for defrauding clients of over £144,000 has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. He is appealing against his conviction.
SDT fines motoring lawyer twice convicted of drink driving
A solicitor specialising in motoring offences, banned from driving for three years after a second conviction for drink-driving, has been fined £15,000 by a disciplinary tribunal.
SRA loses appeal over failed Leigh Day mega-prosecution
The High Court has dismissed an appeal by the SRA against a disciplinary tribunal’s decision to clear Martyn Day, two colleagues and his firm Leigh Day over the Al-Sweady case.
SRA prosecutes solicitor for second time over same case
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is taking the unusual step of prosecuting a solicitor for the second time over the same collapsed investment scheme. He was previously suspended for a year.
SRA wins right to recover £800,000 costs from Blavo
The Court of Appeal has allowed the Solicitors Regulation Authority to try and recover the £800,000 it spent intervening in collapsed law firm Blavo & Co.
LSB: Regulators making “good progress” on publishing prices
The frontline regulators are making “very good progress” in improving price transparency, the Legal Services Board has said – but its consumer panel was far less impressed.
Blog
The AI legal leap: Why firms must adapt now or risk falling behind
Once known for its cautious approach to new technology, the legal sector has undergone a dramatic shift. Today, almost all firms in the UK use AI in some capacity.
The AI revolution: practice excellence is about to reach a new level
The crux of all conversations with law firms has been: “how can generative AI support greater practice and client service without compromising security?”
TikTok or TikNot: Is social media working for you?
The average law firm spends around a quarter of its marketing budget on social media but sees little in return, our research found.
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