Defending Solicitors' Rights To Practise
Jon Goodwin In early 2015, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) banned a cleaner from working in a law firm without its permission. This situation followed on from a 2012 High Court decision against Murugan Gopalan (formerly known … Read More
The Solicitors Regulation Authority last month outlined plans to allow solicitors to practice on a freelance basis. They would not be required to register as a sole practitioner or be employed by a regulated firm. … Read More
An undertaking is a commitment by a solicitor to do something or not do something. Failing to comply with an undertaking can result in disciplinary action being taken by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA). The … Read More
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force in May 2018. Law firms that fail to prepare in time, so they can comply with the regulations on day one, risk facing the regulator’s wrath. … Read More
In a recent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) hearing, it was ruled that a solicitor who backdated a document in a “blind panic” could continue working in the legal profession. Although this is a welcome decision, … Read More
A recent news report in the Law Society Gazette states that the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is intervening in more multi-office firms and has experienced a spike in the number of practices it has shut … Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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