Jon Goodwin, Author at Jonathan Goodwin

Summer Is Coming To An End – Beware Of Fraudulent Claims From Holiday Makers

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a new warning notice regarding false holiday sickness claims. As summer comes to an end and holiday-makers return home, it is imperative Solicitors are vigilant when it comes … Read More

SRA Announces Reforms

In June 2018, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) announced a series of reforms. These are designed to give legal professionals greater flexibility and improve access to justice. The reforms have been generated from the Looking … Read More

SRA Criticised After PI Solicitor Cleared Of Settling Claims Without Permission

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) criticised the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) over its handling of an investigation and subsequent prosecution of an “honest and credible” partner, Mr Vincent Gray, of the Greater Manchester practice, Dunne … Read More

UK Law Firms Still Challenged By Money Laundering Risks

Earlier this year, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) revealed it had implemented disciplinary measures against several law firms who had allegedly committed money laundering breaches. The authority stated it had carried out a review of … Read More

All Change – Get Ready For The SRA Handbook 2019 And New Account Rules

In June 2018, the Solicitors Regulation Authority published phase two of its Handbook reforms and a draft of the revised Handbook itself. The existing SRA Handbook is seen as complex and not particularly user-friendly – … Read More

How To Avoid And Challenge An SRA Intervention

An SRA intervention is the SRA’s nuclear weapon. If your firm is currently being investigated and you fear an intervention may be possible, you must take the situation seriously. An SRA intervention can destroy not … Read More

Can a Solicitor Who Has Been Struck Off Be Restored To The Roll?

A recent article in the Law Society Gazette has stated the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has confirmed that it will ask this year whether the bar for finding solicitors guilty of misconduct should be lowered … Read More

Three Steps To Prevent Hackers Targeting Your Law Firm

Late last month, UK law firm Duncan Lewis alerted regulatory bodies and the National Crime Agency Action Fraud team that a data breach occurred in their firm. According to a report in the Law Society … Read More

How Law Firms Can Protect The Mental Health Of Their Staff

Do many law graduates understand the true nature of working in a law firm? I know that when I was in the midst of my law exams, the pressure seemed unbearable at times. But nothing … Read More

The SRA Accounts Rules (And What Happens When Your Breach Them)

In 2015, former Law Society council member Michael Webster was jailed for eight months after being found guilty of making five fraudulent transactions from his law firm’s client account to the value of £75,605.27. Mr … Read More

Wingate & Anr v Solicitors Regulation Authority and Solicitors Regulation Authority v Malins – Recent Appeals Involving Dishonesty and Integrity

The level of honesty and integrity demanded by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is incredibly high. And the penalty for acting dishonestly or with a lack of integrity can end an otherwise promising legal career. … Read More

Are Firms Doing Enough To Protect Solicitors From Stress?

Thanks to efforts by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Ruby Wax, and Elon Musk , mental health, for long the poor relation of health services in Britain, is now being taken seriously. … Read More

Money-laundering – Know How To Spot The Red Flags

In one telling scene from the opening episode of the BBC’s McMafia, Alex Godman, played by James McNorton, is asked how he might send funds to Mumbai “without leaving a trace”. His answer: by setting … Read More

Getting Ready For The GDPR – Top Three Tips For Law Firms

The General Data Protection Rules (GDPR) come into force in less than four months. According to the latest statistics available, only 25% of over 150 legal sector IT decision-makers said their firms were GDPR ready … Read More

A Solicitors Guide To Fee Sharing and Referrals

Many law firms rely on business being referred from other practices or other third parties. However, this practice is strictly monitored by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to ensure the best interests of the client … Read More

How To Protect Your Law Firm From A Cyber-Security Breach

In October 2017, leading international firm, Appleby, admitted that in 2016 it had been the victim of a cyber-security breach which led to the Paradise Papers scandal. The firm, which advises corporations, high-net-worth individuals and … Read More

Can I Have My SRA Suspension Lifted?

It was recently reported in the Law Society Gazette that a solicitor who had worked overseas for over a decade was unable to convince the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) to lift a suspension which would … Read More

Protecting Your Law Firm From Copycat Website Cyber-Fraud

In October’s Law Society Gazette, it was reported that City firm, Bates Wells Braithwaite, fell victim of an attempted cyber-fraud in which photographs and details of several of its lawyers were stolen and displayed on … Read More

Explaining Section 43 Orders

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 ‘Uberisation’ Of The Legal Profession

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

What Clients Say

I instructed Jonathan Goodwin after I was accused by the SRA of the most serious allegations of dishonesty, amongst other breaches of the Solicitors Codes of Conduct.

After 20 years of unblemished practice,
I found myself fighting for my professional life in a regulatory quagmire.

After taking my full instructions in what was a complex matter, Jonathan responded to the SRA with a detailed 28 page letter and paginated bundle of 70 pages of exhibits that captured the essence of my version of events. His response not only articulated my position but also brought to the attention of the SRA salient facts that I had simply not considered myself.

I was convinced that the matter was destined for the SDT which would have meant prolonged trauma for myself and my family together with the inevitable associated costs of an SRA prosecution.

Jonathan held my hand throughout the agonising ordeal and was always available for me at the end of the phone or by email.

Today, Jonathan called me to tell me that the 11 month investigation by the SRA was finally over.

The SRA had considered Jonathan’s thorough response and had decided to close their file with no further action whatsoever.

It is difficult to commit to words the feelings and emotion that Jonathan’s phone call brought to me this morning. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this day would come. I can only put it down to Jonathan’s skill, experience and knowledge of regulatory matters.

Whilst todays result has still not entirely sunk in (I feel emotionally and mentally drained) I will be eternally grateful to Jonathan for winning my case and for securing justice for me and my family.

Instructing Jonathan was the best decision I have made. I now have my life back and can only look forward to the future with positivity.

Thank you Jonathan.

I instructed Jonathan Goodwin after I was accused by the SRA of the most serious allegations of dishonesty, amongst other breaches of the Solicitors Codes of Conduct. After 20 years of unblemished practice, I found myself fighting for my professional life in a regulatory quagmire. After taking my full instructions in what was a complex matter, Jonathan responded to the SRA with a detailed 28 page letter and paginated bundle of 70 pages of exhibits that captured the essence of my version of events. His response not only articulated my position but also brought to the attention of the SRA salient facts that I had simply not considered myself. I was convinced that the matter was destined for the SDT which would have meant prolonged trauma for myself and my family together with the inevitable associated costs of an SRA prosecution. Jonathan held my hand throughout the agonising ordeal and was always available for me at the end of the phone or by email. Today, Jonathan called me to tell me that the 11 month investigation by the SRA was finally over. The SRA had considered Jonathan’s thorough response and had decided to close their file with no further action whatsoever. It is difficult to commit to words the feelings and emotion that Jonathan’s phone call brought to me this morning. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this day would come. I can only put it down to Jonathan’s skill, experience and knowledge of regulatory matters. Whilst todays result has still not entirely sunk in (I feel emotionally and mentally drained) I will be eternally grateful to Jonathan for winning my case and for securing justice for me and my family. Instructing Jonathan was the best decision I have made. I now have my life back and can only look forward to the future with positivity. Thank you Jonathan.

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