Keeping Your Law Firm Staff Safe
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
Landmark Decision On Dishonesty Test
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
Supporting Your Team’s Mental Health During Lockdown
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
Ethical Business Practice During Lockdown
The present period of lockdown is testing both individuals and law firms in new and unexpected ways. Many parents are having to juggle supporting their children with home-schooling while simultaneously working from home; no mean … Read More
How Your Law Firm Can Weather the Coronavirus Pandemic
There is no doubt, we live in uncertain times. With Coronavirus infecting business sentiment, not just people, law firms across the UK will be reviewing their position and putting in place measures to protect their … Read More
Protecting your Law Firm from Unintended SRA Breaches Due to Coronavirus Homeworking
The current Coronavirus pandemic is posing a considerable headache for businesses across the length and breadth of the UK, and indeed the whole world. Law firms are needing to react quickly to ensure the continuity … Read More
What do the SDT’s Strategic & Operational Plans 2020–2023 Tell Us About Future Legal Regulation?
The SDT recently published two separate documents, one outlining their Strategic Plan for 2020 – 2023, and another their Operational Plan for 2020 – 2023. In the words of Edward Nally, President of the SDT … Read More
Why Should I Consider An SRA Agreed Outcome
In November 2019, it was reported by the Law Gazette that the number of ‘sitting days’ for the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) this year is projected to be “vastly” down (26%) on last year. This … Read More
Sexual Misconduct At Record Levels Within The Law Profession
January was not a positive month for the UK legal sector press coverage. Firstly, following a Freedom of Information response by the SRA, and as reported in The Guardian, it has been revealed that reports … Read More
A 60 Second Guide To Regulatory Settlement Agreements
Fortunately, not all Solicitors Regulation Authority investigations result in formal prosecution and an appearance in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to negotiate a Regulatory Settlement Agreement with … Read More
How Solicitors Can Survive An SRA Investigation
Few things cause a solicitor or Manager of a law firm more stress and anxiety than news that the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is conducting an investigation into their practice. If you have an understanding … Read More
Defending Disciplinary Action By the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
The role of the conveyancer is often underestimated. While under pressure from all sides to bring transactions to a successful conclusion, conveyancers must ensure that key issues are not mishandled or ignored, as doing so … Read More
Interpreting the New SDT Rules Introduced on 25th November 2019
On 25th November 2019, the new Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019 (SDPR 2019) came into force. From the outset, it is important to note that for any matters certified as demonstrating a case to answer … Read More
Defending Professional Disciplinary Proceedings before the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Standards matter; of this there is little dispute, but when it comes to the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure, standards are vital to safety, economic sustainability, and health. As a … Read More
Defending Professional Disciplinary Proceedings before the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales
As of 2019, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) has over 181,000 members , including students, across 148 countries. And this number is climbing at a higher rate than ever, with … Read More
Defending against action by the Architects Registration Board (ARB)
In the UK, the Architects Act 1997 (AA 1997) provides for the regulation of the architects’ profession, with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) being responsible for its oversight. The ARB exists to: manage the UK … Read More
Changes to SRA Rules and Accounts Rules
As part of their recent Looking to the Future programme, the SRA took the bold decision to significantly simplify and reduce the prescriptiveness of its Account Rules. The result of this effort is the replacement … 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
Solicitors Need To Take Care With NDAs
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) have suddenly become controversial. The use of NDAs in the context of protecting sensitive commercial information and trade secrets continues to pose no immediate problem. However, solicitors instructed to produce a document … Read More
The Law Society v The SRA
Fresh Attempt To Strengthen Client Protection Concerning Freelance Solicitors. The Law Society has recently asked the Legal Services Board (LSB) to impose extra requirements on solicitors who may otherwise be free to offer legal services … Read More