Freshfields report into bank rape allegations not covered by privilege – Law Society’s Gazette

‘A report prepared by magic circle firm Freshfields into the alleged rape of a bank employee was not covered by legal privilege, according to an employment tribunal ruling that has now been made public.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 21st April 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

SRA backs new cyber-losses clause for indemnity policies – Legal Futures

‘The extent to which losses caused by cyber attacks are covered by law firms’ professional indemnity insurance (PII) policies is to be clarified by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).’

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Legal Futures, 14th April 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ban on unsolicited approaches ‘hits access to justice’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted April 12th, 2021 in codes of practice, news, solicitors, Solicitors Regulation Authority by tracey

‘The blanket ban on solicitors making unsolicited approaches to clients could act as a barrier to access to justice, according to a solicitor campaigning for a relaxation of the rule. Tobias Haynes, a dispute resolution specialist at Midlands firm Martin Kaye Solicitors, last week opened an online petition for solicitors to be allowed to contact potential clients by email or letter.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 9th April 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Wide LPC attainment gap based on provider and ethnicity – Legal Futures

‘The disparity between the best and worst legal practice course (LPC) providers has continued to grow, with only 23% of students passing at one institution.’

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Legal Futures, 26th March 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Solicitor failed to check whether jailed client wanted to sell property – Legal Futures

‘A veteran solicitor did not confirm that his imprisoned client had given instructions to transfer a £300,000 property to his mother, with the client claiming after it happened that he knew nothing about it, a tribunal has heard.’

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Legal Futures, 24th February 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Supreme Court to consider costs orders against regulators – Legal Futures

‘The Supreme Court is to consider whether costs should only be awarded against regulators in unsuccessful cases where there is good reason to make an order, it announced today [27 January].’

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Legal Futures, 27th January 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Another SRA prosecution fails but regulator avoids costs order – Legal Futures

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) was justified in prosecuting two law firm partners even though all of the allegations were dismissed, a tribunal has ruled.

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Legal Futures, 21st January 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Transparency failures put three firms in the dock – Legal Futures

‘Law firms in London, Manchester and Bath have become the first sanctioned for failing to publish price and service information, with compliance made a condition of their authorisation.’

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Legal Futures, 15th January 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

High Court overturns “flawed” SDT decision to clear solicitor – Legal Futures

Posted November 17th, 2020 in costs, fraud, news, solicitors, Solicitors Regulation Authority, tribunals by sally

‘The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) “fell into serious error” in finding no case to answer against a solicitor accused of making a fraudulent costs claim, the High Court has ruled.’

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Legal Futures, 17th November 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Insurer fails in aggregation argument over partner’s multi-million pound thefts – Legal Futures

‘The High Court has refused to aggregate as one claim various actions a Yorkshire law firm’s indemnity insurer is facing because of a multi-million pound fraud run by one of its partners.’

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Legal Futures, 4th November 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

SRA eyes “activity based licences” and scheme for unregulated providers – Legal Futures

Posted October 29th, 2020 in legal services, licensing, news, solicitors, Solicitors Regulation Authority by sally

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) could offer “activity-based licences”, allowing lawyers to provide individual reserved legal activities instead of its current “all or nothing” approach to regulation.’

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Legal Futures, 29th October 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

SRA slapped with costs order over failed prosecution – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has taken the unusual step of making a costs order against the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for the “grave errors” it made in a case it eventually had to withdraw.’

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Legal Futures, 22nd October 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

SRA seeks charitable status in Law Society split – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is applying for charitable status as part of becoming a distinct legal entity within the Law Society Group, it has emerged.’

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Legal Futures, 16th October 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Law Society “must show it listens to solicitors” about cost of practising – Legal Futures

‘The Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) need to do more to show that they take on board what solicitors have to say about the cost of practising, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has warned.’

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Legal Futures, 12th October 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Dozens of Asian lawyers say they have been mistaken for defendants – The Guardian

‘More than 20 Asian lawyers have come forward to say they have been mistaken for defendants in court, in the same week that the black barrister Alexandra Wilson said the same had happened to her three times in a day.’

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The Guardian, 25th September 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

£60k fine and JR ban for immigration solicitor – Legal Futures

‘An immigration solicitor who brought meritless judicial reviews (JRs) has been fined £60,000 and banned for an indefinite period from making further applications.’

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Legal Futures, 17th September 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Solicitor who raided client’s estate to pay debts is struck off – Legal Futures

‘A solicitor who used £100,000 from a client’s estate to pay debts to HM Revenue & Customs and an indemnity insurer before closing his firm has been struck off.’

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Legal Futures, 16th September 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

“Extremely drunk” senior partner touched and kissed paralegal – Legal Futures

‘The “extremely drunk” senior partner of a London law firm has been fined £10,000 for touching a paralegal on the bottom and kissing her on the neck while sitting next to her in a bar.’

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Legal Futures, 8th September 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Lawyers for XR to perform “arrestable action” outside SRA offices – Legal Futures

‘Lawyers for Extinction Rebellion (XR) will perform a “theatrical and arrestable action” outside the London office of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) today in a bid to push the regulator “to confirm or deny lawyers’ rights to engage in peaceful non-violent protest, without fear of losing their right to practise”.’

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Legal Futures, 4th September 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

LSB demands greater transparency on practising fees – Legal Futures

‘Legal regulators will have to explain more clearly how they spend their practising certificate fees (PCF) under revised rules proposed by the Legal Services Board (LSB).’

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Legal Futures, 14th August 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk