Solicitors Regulation Archives - Page 2 of 5

Employment Tribunal Concludes Dismissal of Solicitor Was “Procedurally Unfair”

In a recent case reported in the Law Society Gazette, an employment tribunal concluded that the dismissal of an assistant solicitor by his employer was “procedurally unfair”. Luton based legal practitioner Edegbai Oise brought a … Read More

What Can We Learn From the Phishing Attack on the SRA?

On 9th November 2022, the SRA issued a warning on its website entitled, “Warning: Malicious email purporting to be from the SRA”. What made this warning particularly concerning was that it related to a spurious … Read More

SRA Publishes New Guidance For Immigration Solicitors

On 23rd November 2022, the SRA published the key findings of its ‘Immigration and asylum thematic review” and new Guidance for Solicitors undertaking immigration work which drew on the review. In this article, we will … Read More

How To Ensure SRA Compliance When Implementing Hybrid/Remote Working

Like most other skilled professions, the legal industry is engaged in a battle for talent. Although some large multi-national and City firms can offer eye-watering salaries to attract the best people, medium and small practices … Read More

Solicitor Receives £15,000 Fine For Providing Incorrect Rent Review Advice

David Carter Hughes, who is now head of property at the Irlam office of Manchester firm Bannister Preston, was recently issued with a fine of £15,000 for providing incorrect information to 115 clients regarding their … Read More

SRA Confirms Indemnity Fund Replacement

Following a consultation on the future of ‘post-six-year run-off cover’ (PSYROC) and the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) by the SRA, it was recently announced that the scheme will come to an end and be replaced … Read More

SRA Fining Powers Increased from £2,000 to £25,000

In what may signify a shift in the way that the SRA deal with conduct investigations in the future, on 29th June 2022, the SRA was given new powers to issue fines of up to … Read More

“Serious Procedural Irregularity” Leads High Court To Overturn Finding of Fundamental Dishonesty

In the recent case of Jenkinson v Robertson [2022] EWHC 791 (QB) on 31st March 2022, the High Court concluded an appeal by Claimant, Mr Andrew Jenkinson, that he had been “fundamentally dishonest” when claiming … Read More

Law Firm Owner Sanctioned For Telling Client He Could Not Complain To The SRA

In March 2022, we wrote about how former solicitor Elizabeth Nedin deliberately concealed a complaint made by one of her clients and was struck off the Roll of Solicitors as a result. In this article, … Read More

New SRA Workplace Environment Guidance

In recent years, there have been numerous cases and reports of law practitioners in the UK who have experienced toxic workplaces, bullying, harassment, intimidation, and pressure to work excessive hours. Back in 2020, Tiernan Brady, … Read More

Will the SRA Increase Its Internal Fining Powers ‘Twelvefold’?

In November 2021, the SRA announced proposals to significantly hike its fining powers in addition to a new ‘fast-track’ system for fixed penalties for lesser breaches of its rules. This is not the first time … Read More

Top Law Firm Receives Record Fine Following Breach of Money Laundering Rules

For many years now, we have been writing about how some UK law firms have struggled to stamp out money laundering and the ever-increasing pressure being imposed by the SRA on law professionals to do … Read More

What Are Unbundled Services And Why Is The SRA Pushing For Them?

In its ongoing strive to modernise the legal sector, the SRA has recently undergone a fresh drive to encourage law firms to offer ‘unbundled services’ with the Regulator unveiling plans for a pilot scheme to … Read More

What Happens When The SRA Investigate Your Firm?

So what should you do if the SRA starts an investigation against you or your firm? If you understand the investigatory process and have well organised files and detailed client and firm accounts, then with … Read More

SRA Requests Law Firms Declare Their Compliance with Transparency Rules

On 21 January 2021, in what the SRA referred to as a “clamp down”, they announced they had already disciplined nine law firms for not adhering to rules on transparency. It appears this clamp down … Read More

Is it Fair to Take Solicitors’ Personal Lives Into Account?

In the digital age, our actions, thoughts, and feelings are there for all to see on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. Employers are routinely scouring social media accounts of prospective … Read More

Should Solicitors Have Competence Checks?

Back in November 2016, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) removed the requirement for solicitors to count CPD hours and replaced this with a self-regulatory requirement for legal professionals. They advised legal practitioners to “reflect on … Read More

“In 2020 I was informed a practice I had been a partner at for many years had made a report to the SRA making several untruthful allegations including some of dishonesty. This is not a letter I would wish on any fellow professional. Upon receipt I went into sheer panic. My good name and reputation were being questioned.

I made the decision I had no option but to find the best representation possible. My reputation, career and future ability to work and my family name was at stake.

I spent endless hours searching for the best reputation, someone who would fight for me as if they were fighting for themselves.

I came across the website of Jon Goodwin and read his numerous positive reviews. I noted Jon has also years of experience in work for the SRA making prosecutions so he would have detailed knowledge of defending these claims.

I contacted Jon with his online form and within minutes he called me back. I explained the dire situation I found myself in and the panic and uncertainty I felt after so many years in the profession.

As soon as I spoke with Jon I knew he was the “man for the job”

We discussed what was ahead and the stages that would follow if the matter was progressed by the SRA.

At all times Jon and his incredible team were there for me, always making himself available. Jon always believed and accepted what I was saying and never doubting my detailed responses to the numerous allegations made.

Jon was fighting for me to ensure I could continue to practice as a Solicitor, retain my reputation and to continue in a career which I had enjoyed for so many years.

His intimate knowledge of the SRA rules is incredible and ensured all responses to allegation were thoroughly and expertly dealt with by way of detailed methodical responses. His drafting skills in preparing the detailed responses to the notice were incredible.

After a very long stressful 3 years, the phone call from Jon telling me the SRA would be taking NO FURTHER ACTION left me in shock, tears and speechless.

THANK YOU JON, you have ensured a future for me professionally and stability for myself, wife and children.

Jon you will never know how much your support meant over the last 3 years. I do not think I could have got through it without you.

I have no hesitation to recommend Jon for any regulatory issue you may be faced with, you could not find anyone better than Jon with his detailed knowledge and considerable wealth of experience.

May you be blessed with good health and strength to be able to represent fellow professionals for many years to ensure they are represented in the best way possible and to ensure they get the best possible outcome.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am indebted to you for ensuring the correct outcome was achieved.”

Solicitor

"In 2020 I was informed a practice I had been a partner at for many years had made a report to the SRA making several untruthful allegations including some of dishonesty. This is not a letter I would wish on any fellow professional. Upon receipt I went into sheer panic. My good name and reputation were being questioned. I made the decision I had no option but to find the best representation possible. My reputation, career and future ability to work and my family name was at stake. I spent endless hours searching for the best reputation, someone who would fight for me as if they were fighting for themselves. I came across the website of Jon Goodwin and read his numerous positive reviews. I noted Jon has also years of experience in work for the SRA making prosecutions so he would have detailed knowledge of defending these claims. I contacted Jon with his online form and within minutes he called me back. I explained the dire situation I found myself in and the panic and uncertainty I felt after so many years in the profession. As soon as I spoke with Jon I knew he was the “man for the job” We discussed what was ahead and the stages that would follow if the matter was progressed by the SRA. At all times Jon and his incredible team were there for me, always making himself available. Jon always believed and accepted what I was saying and never doubting my detailed responses to the numerous allegations made. Jon was fighting for me to ensure I could continue to practice as a Solicitor, retain my reputation and to continue in a career which I had enjoyed for so many years. His intimate knowledge of the SRA rules is incredible and ensured all responses to allegation were thoroughly and expertly dealt with by way of detailed methodical responses. His drafting skills in preparing the detailed responses to the notice were incredible. After a very long stressful 3 years, the phone call from Jon telling me the SRA would be taking NO FURTHER ACTION left me in shock, tears and speechless. THANK YOU JON, you have ensured a future for me professionally and stability for myself, wife and children. Jon you will never know how much your support meant over the last 3 years. I do not think I could have got through it without you. I have no hesitation to recommend Jon for any regulatory issue you may be faced with, you could not find anyone better than Jon with his detailed knowledge and considerable wealth of experience. May you be blessed with good health and strength to be able to represent fellow professionals for many years to ensure they are represented in the best way possible and to ensure they get the best possible outcome. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am indebted to you for ensuring the correct outcome was achieved." Solicitor

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