Jon Goodwin, Author at Jonathan Goodwin

Lack of Integrity and Dishonesty – Do They Mean The Same In Relation To Solicitors’ Regulations?

Three extraordinary decisions have been delivered by the High Court regarding the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal’s (SDT) interpretation of ‘lack of integrity’ and ‘dishonesty.’ The issue at the centre of the cases was: are integrity and … Read More

The SRA Decision-Making Process Explained

Being subject to a Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) investigation is certain to be a stressful experience for any firm. If you are a managing partner who suddenly finds their law firm being investigated by the … Read More

Law firm Leigh Day cleared of Iraq case professional misconduct allegations

On 9th June, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) cleared London law firm Leigh Day and three of its solicitors of all 20 allegations of professional misconduct over Iraq war murder compensation claims. The trial, instigated … Read More

Regulatory settlement agreements

A regulatory settlement agreement(RSA) is used between the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and a regulated firm of solicitors or an individual solicitor to settle a disciplinary proceedings investigation in full. Offering to conclude a disciplinary … Read More

Law firm Leigh Day cleared of Iraq case professional misconduct allegations

On 9thJune, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) cleared London law firm Leigh Day and three of its solicitors of all 20 allegations of professional misconduct over Iraq war murder compensation claims. The trial, instigated by … Read More

The Solicitors Regulation Authority v lawyers behaving badly

Within the space of a month, the High Court has issued conflicting decisions on whether a solicitor’s lack of integrity shows dishonesty. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (the SRA) is reported to be considering an appeal … Read More

Regulatory requirements of a client care policy

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Handbook (the Handbook) sets out all the SRA’s regulatory requirements on solicitors. It is updated regularly, version 18 having been published on 1 November 2016. The Handbook outlines the ethical … Read More

Restoration to the Solicitors Roll – an interview with Jonathan Goodwin

Anyone wishing to apply for restoration to the Roll of Solicitors needs to carefully consider their chance of success, preferably with the help of someone who understands the challenges involved. Jonathan Goodwin is such a … Read More

How Professional Service Providers Can Protect Their Businesses From Money Laundering

Last month in an interview with The Guardian, the head of the National Crime Agency, David Little said UK authorities were struggling to prevent vast sums of dirty money entering the country. “The amount of … Read More

Should the SRA be Police, Judge and Jury?

Currently, solicitors who face allegations made against them are subject to investigation and sanction by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (“SRA”). The SRA can rebuke solicitors and fine them up to £2,000.00. In more serious cases … Read More

Staying on the Right-Side of the Data Protection Act 1998

This month, a senior barrister was fined £1,000 when highly sensitive client information relating to family court proceedings was accidentally uploaded online, becoming easily accessible to the public via search engines. The Information Commissioner’s Office … Read More

What Clients Say

“I was recommended to Jonathan by a former SRA forensic investigator who had worked with him in dealing with investigations and prosecutions on behalf of the SRA.

Jonathan now only acts for individuals and firms under investigation by the SRA.

When I spoke to Jonathan to outline the difficulty that we had, I was immediately impressed by his knowledge and background.

The SRA were seeking from as an explanation of conduct in a particular matter. We had prepared our own response to the points raised, but it was evident from Jonathan’s draft response once we had instructed him just how important it was to rely on his experience.

His intimate working knowledge of the SRA and it’s overarching principles and ethos meant he could quote case law and rules and regulations in a way that we had no experience of, and his vastly improved and extended response led to the SRA immediately confirming they would be taking no further action.

I would not hesitate to unreservedly recommend Jonathan to anyone having difficulties with the SRA.”

Solicitor.

"I was recommended to Jonathan by a former SRA forensic investigator who had worked with him in dealing with investigations and prosecutions on behalf of the SRA. Jonathan now only acts for individuals and firms under investigation by the SRA. When I spoke to Jonathan to outline the difficulty that we had, I was immediately impressed by his knowledge and background. The SRA were seeking from as an explanation of conduct in a particular matter. We had prepared our own response to the points raised, but it was evident from Jonathan’s draft response once we had instructed him just how important it was to rely on his experience. His intimate working knowledge of the SRA and it’s overarching principles and ethos meant he could quote case law and rules and regulations in a way that we had no experience of, and his vastly improved and extended response led to the SRA immediately confirming they would be taking no further action. I would not hesitate to unreservedly recommend Jonathan to anyone having difficulties with the SRA." Solicitor.

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