Articles

SRA Publishes Risk Outlook 2020/2021

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have published their latest Risk Outlook, setting out their view on the key risks and challenges currently facing the profession. This ye

Extensions to the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Regime

Ever since the anti-money laundering (AML) regime was first extended to the legal profession through the passing of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), closely followed by the M

Law Society Welcomes Courts Backlog Measures

The Law Society of England and Wales has welcomed measures to tackle backlogs in the civil and family courts and tribunals services by recruiting hundreds of additional staff and b

The Difficult Work of the LeO

During this unusual period whilst most of us have been working from home, clients have been grateful that the profession has continued to operate and provide vital legal services.

Scottish Price Transparency Guidance

The Law Society of Scotland has issued guidance for Scottish solicitors on publishing pricing and price transparency. The guidance, which is due to come into effect in January 202

Research Shows Remote Working Benefits Those with Disability

A new survey of over 100 disabled lawyers by the Law Society of England and Wales in partnership with the Legally Disabled Research Team based at Cardiff University, has found that

SQE Gets the Go Ahead

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced that it has been given the go ahead by the Legal Services Board (LSB) to introduced the new Solicitors Qualifying Examinatio

Registering Beneficial Interests and the Trust Registration Service

t may seem surprising that the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) (UK Exit) Regulations 2020 have received as little attention as they have. In truth, the new reg

JLD welcomes SDT mental ill-health decision

The Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society (JLD) has welcomed the decision of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) in the case of Susan Helen Orton that her mental ill-he

Encouraging Transparency Report

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have published a report showing that transparency of fee information and the availability of more online information about solicitors and

LawCare launches ‘Life in the Law’ study

LawCare, the legal mental health charity, has announced a new initiative involving research into ‘Life in the Law’. The charity has teamed up with leading academics including: Dr

Legal Services Board research highlights key public priorities

New research commissioned by the Legal Services Board (LSB) to inform the development of a new strategy for legal services has highlighted key priorities the public say should be a

CMA Launches Review

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), whose remit is expressed to be to “promote competition for the benefit of consumers, both within and outside the UK” is carrying out an

The Risks of Incorrect SDLT Returns

For Compliance Officers who are not also conveyancers, it may come as a surprise to discover that systematic errors may be being made in the completion of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT

Tax Advice and the Risks of Negligent SDLT Returns

The provision of tax advice by solicitors is widely recognised to be a potential minefield, as highlighted by the publication of a guidance note last month by the Law Society (“Gui

IUA Warning to Solicitors

The International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) has issued a warning to solicitors, in the form of an open letter, that professional indemnity insurance (PII) cover for

SRA Publishes Cybercrime Thematic Review

A new cybercrime report from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has highlighted the need for law firms to remain extra vigilant over the threat posed by cybercriminals – esp

SRA Investment Schemes Warning

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has today issued a new warning to law firms as to the need to be vigilant when advising on investment schemes. A new report published tod

Giving and Accepting an Undertaking

Undertakings are a fundamental part of the practice of a solicitor and their importance cannot be stated too strongly. It is essential that they be observed whenever they are give

Website warning – legal consumers struggle with pricing

A press release from the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) reveals that although a record number of consumers are shopping around, many still experience problems finding out wha