Defending Solicitors' Rights To Practise
Jon Goodwin At the beginning of March, Chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced in his Spring Budget that £100 million is to be set aside to form a Taxpayer Protection Taskforce. A team of 1,250 HMRC officials will be … Read More
Jonathan Goodwin has been successful in persuading the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) to restore Shadab Ahmed Khan, who was convicted for money laundering offences, to the Roll of Solicitors. Mr Khan was admitted to the … Read More
All conveyancing and probate professionals who are regulated by the Council for Licenced Conveyancers (CLC) can be investigated by the body if allegations of misconduct are made. All regulated conveyancers are expected to comply with … Read More
The SRA has imposed sanctions on four law firms for failing to meet the transparency requirements introduced in 2018. Published decision notices show Manchester firm AWH Legal was fined £2,000, London firm Sal & Co … Read More
Like all professions, architects are robustly regulated. The Architects Act 1997, section 13 provides that the Architects Registration Board (ARB) must issue a Code setting out the professional standards and conduct expected of a person … Read More
The Financial Times has called it a “bonfire of taxpayers’ money”. All over the UK, businesses, including law firms, architects, and surveyors have been or are at risk of being exploited by criminals to defraud … Read More
The Coronavirus pandemic has rapidly changed all our lives, both in terms of work and home. The legal profession will, along with other sectors, face enormous challenges and opportunities dealing with the continuing pandemic and … Read More
In November 2020, the Government launched a consultation on plans to amend the Architects Act 1997 (AA 1997) to allow the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to regularly examine architects and remove practitioners that do not … Read More
Mark Boyle, policy lead on anti-money laundering for the SRA has stated that law firms must learn exactly where their clients’ money is coming from if they want to effectively fight money laundering. The statement … Read More
There have been several recent cases of dishonesty before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) following Solicitors Regulation Authority investigations (SRA). Below is a summary of two of these decisions and what can be learnt from … Read More
In early October, a Bolton law firm was able to reopen its premises after undergoing a deep clean and reducing its capacity in communal areas. The recent incident of the law firm’s premises being shut … Read More
Without moving too far into the controversial political sphere, it is safe to say that the current UK Government’s commitment to the Rule of Law is slightly lacking. From the move to prorogue Parliament in … Read More
Despite the Government’s plea for office workers to return to work provided it is safe to do so, many city workers and their employers have discovered the benefits of working from home. The past five … Read More
The Legal Services Consumer Panel is concerned that clients have limited means of knowing whether a solicitor is competent and has ensured his or her skills have been updated throughout what can be a long … Read More
On 17 August 2020, the SRA issued a warning notice stating that solicitors need to be vigilant when it comes to providing advice on investment schemes. The notice is an update on a pre-existing notice, … Read More
On 12 June 2020, Baker McKenzie’s former London senior partner was fined £55,000 for serious professional misconduct. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) found that Gary Senior attempted to embrace and kiss a junior colleague in … Read More
Under the SRA Standards and Regulations, within the Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs, all staff employed within a law firm are subject to those conduct rules. Paralegals can find themselves answering accusations … Read More
On 1 June 2020, the British Government’s lockdown, imposed since mid-March in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, began to ease. In England, groups of up to six people can now meet up, as long as … Read More
On 29 April 2020, the Court of Appeal, in R v Barton & Booth [2020] EWCA Crim 575 provided an important decision on the test for dishonesty in a criminal context. For solicitors facing an … Read More
It is fair to say that during periods of uncertainty and crisis, some people appear to cope without difficultly, while others struggle. The word ‘appear’ is relevant here. Some people are highly adept at looking … Read More