Law firms’ “shocking” vulnerability to cyber criminals – Legal Futures

Posted November 13th, 2019 in computer crime, internet, law firms, news, Solicitors Regulation Authority by sally

‘The vast majority of major law firms still have significant unaddressed cyber-risk, despite repeated urging by regulators, insurers and others to shore up their defences, according to new research.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 12th November 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Approval of SQE not a foregone conclusion, LSB warns – Legal Futures

‘Approval of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is not a foregone conclusion, the Legal Services Board (LSB) is to make clear to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 12th November 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Tribunal lifts practising controls from ABS accountant – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has lifted practising restrictions on a finance director who was sanctioned less than three years ago, over the objections of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 11th November 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Woman faked email reference to get law firm job – Legal Futures

‘A woman who set up a fake law firm email address so as to provide a bogus reference to a real firm looking to employ her has been banned from working in the profession.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 4th November 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

The new SRA Standards and Regulations: Greater freedom for solicitors? – 4 New Square

‘In this article, Helen Evans and Clare Dixon of 4 New Square review whether the new principles, codes of conduct and disciplinary procedure rules wholeheartedly reflect a relaxation of the SRA’s grip, or whether competing forces are apparent. They also consider whether one of the unintended consequence of some of the liberalisation is to introduce a two-tier regulatory system for solicitors practising within regulated entities (such as firms) and those outside that structure. Finally, they reflect on the likely impact of the new rules and relaxed burden of proof on the troublesome issues of dishonesty and lack of integrity- an issue that the Divisional Court was still picking apart as recently as last week in the matter of SRA v Siaw.’

Full Story

4 New Square, 21st October 2019

Source: www.4newsquare.com

New law “to put more pressure” on solicitors’ NDA advice – Legal Futures

‘A new law ensuring that employees signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) receive independent legal advice will “increase the onus” on solicitors to act properly when drafting them, the government has said.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 30th October 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Introduction to the SRA’s 2019 Standards and Regulations – 4 New Square

Posted October 29th, 2019 in news, regulations, solicitors, Solicitors Regulation Authority, standards by sally

‘On 25 November 2019 the SRA’s new Standards and Regulations will come into force. In many respects the substance of what is expected of the profession will remain much the same, but the new regime will see major changes to the regulations and rules through which those expectations are expressed and will be enforced. Both practising solicitors and those involved in advising them on their regulatory obligations must familiarise themselves with what will change. The aim of this series is to highlight the major changes and give some thoughts on what their implications may be.’

Full Story

4 New Square, 14th October 2019

Source: www.4newsquare.com

The new Accounts Rules – what can you do? – 4 New Square

‘On 25 November 2019 the SRA Accounts Rules 2011 will cease to have effect, and will be replaced by new accounts rules. In one quarter-stroke of the draftsman’s pen, 52 rules covering 50 pages of single-spaced typescript on pages of A4 will be replaced by 13 rules on 10 pages. The SRA has trumpeted loudly that the rules have been simplified and that they provide greater flexibility. Have they? Do they?’

Full Story

4 New Square, 28th October 2019

Source: www.4newsquare.com

Serious misconduct “does not mean automatic strike-off” – Legal Futures

‘A finding of serious misconduct against a solicitor does not require striking off or an immediate suspension from practice, the High Court has ruled.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 28th October 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Boss of bogus law firm disqualified as director – Legal Futures

‘The head of a bogus solicitors’ firm has received a 10-year director’s disqualification for running the business with a total lack of integrity.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 24th October 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

SRA “wrong” to sanction solicitor for nanny discrimination – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) was wrong to sanction a senior finance partner at City giant Hogan Lovells for discriminating against his children’s pregnant nanny, a leading regulatory QC has said.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 1st October 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Solicitor suspended after being taken in by scam – Legal Futures

Posted September 30th, 2019 in disciplinary procedures, news, solicitors, Solicitors Regulation Authority by michael

‘A solicitor has been suspended for five years after becoming entangled in a financial scam and unwittingly using her professional status to rope in other victims, as well as losing money herself.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 26th Septeber 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

BSB passes regulatory test on advocacy quality – Legal Futures

‘The Legal Services Board (LSB) has said the Bar Standards Board (BSB) now meets the standard it set for improving the quality of advocacy – unlike the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and CILEx Regulation (CR), whose work is ongoing.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 3rd September 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

High Court refers law firm to SRA over “bogus claims” – Legal Futures

Posted September 3rd, 2019 in immigration, law firms, news, Solicitors Regulation Authority, standards by sally

‘The High Court has referred an immigration law firm to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) after complaining about “wholly bogus claims are advanced by firms of solicitors who are either inexpert or incompetent, or where the staff are not properly supervised”.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 3rd September 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Solicitors rebuked for settlement agreement clauses – Legal Futures

‘Two solicitors who negotiated settlement agreements that sought to prevent others from making complaints to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have been rebuked.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 2nd September 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Solicitor sanctioned for “puerile” social media posts on clients – Legal Futures

‘A solicitor who repeatedly made “inappropriate and puerile comments” on social media about his clients’ matters, and revealed confidential information, has been rebuked for his conduct.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 30th August 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Hogan Lovells partner rebuked over pregnancy discrimination – Legal Futures

‘A senior finance partner at City giant Hogan Lovells has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) after a tribunal found that he discriminated against his children’s pregnant nanny.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 29th August 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Solicitors Regulation Authority consults on overhaul of Higher Rights of Audience scheme – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority has proposed the introduction of revised standards for the Higher Rights of Audience qualification.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 21st August 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

SDT strikes out private prosecution against top London law firm chief – Law Society Gazette

‘A former client has failed to have the senior partner of a leading London law firm prosecuted over allegations of lying to the court.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 14th August 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Court strikes out “incomprehensible” claim against law firm – Legal Futures

‘The High Court has struck out a claim for professional negligence, breach of contract and fiduciary duty made against a central London law firm which was based on “incomprehensible pleadings”.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 1st August 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk