Defending Solicitors' Rights To Practise
In April 2025, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) published new guidance for corporations and businesses on self-reporting concerns about potential acts of serious or complex fraud, including corruption. The document explains the factors considered by … Read More
In January 2025, the SDT released a new set of procedures to streamline case progression and facilitate non-party disclosure. The new procedures are intended to allow parties involved more time to understand each other’s cases … Read More
The recent High Court case of Olsen & Anor v Finansiel Stabilitet [2025] EWHC 42 has highlighted the potential risk of legal professionals using AI to prepare cases. Contrastingly, in February 2025, in a speech … Read More
In November 2024, the SRA published a new consultation entitled “Client money in legal services – safeguarding consumers and providing redress: The model of solicitors holding client money” on possible changes to how and when … Read More
The SRA has published new guidance that is specifically intended to help, guide, and support in-house solicitors operating in England and Wales. The in-house legal guidance is based on feedback following stakeholder feedback on drafts … Read More
True to their word, the SRA has started 2024 by cracking down hard on law firm anti-money laundering (AML) non-compliance. In October 2023, the SRA issued a warning notice regarding client and matter risk assessments, … Read More
In January 2024, the SRA announced it had written to over 1,000 law firms to provide guidance on complying with the UK’s financial sanctions regime. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has a wide … Read More
In December 2022, the SDT struck Ian Caunt Wilson from the Roll of Solicitors following a referral by the SRA relating to hundreds of unpresented disbursement cheques found in a filing cabinet. The allegations brought … Read More
The annual Mental Health Awareness Week event, held this year in May, is an important reminder for us all to consider our own mental health and that of those around us. This year’s theme was … Read More
With climate change becoming a more pressing issue for us all, it is likely that customers of the future will choose to work with businesses, including law firms, not just on their professional record but … Read More
When reading the Google reviews of many law firms it quickly becomes clear that significant numbers are fake and/or malicious. You can quickly tell this by the number of times law firms have to reply … Read More
In a recent speech at the London International Disputes Week, Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls (“MR”) stated that online dispute resolution (ODR) was set to transform justice and lawyers must embrace the coming … Read More
The SRA has imposed sanctions on four law firms for failing to meet the transparency requirements introduced in 2018. Published decision notices show Manchester firm AWH Legal was fined £2,000, London firm Sal & Co … Read More
The Legal Services Consumer Panel is concerned that clients have limited means of knowing whether a solicitor is competent and has ensured his or her skills have been updated throughout what can be a long … Read More
Under the SRA Standards and Regulations, within the Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs, all staff employed within a law firm are subject to those conduct rules. Paralegals can find themselves answering accusations … Read More
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
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
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
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
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