Articles

Rumbles of Thunder on the Continuing Competence Horizon

The somewhat laissez-faire approach to legal competence that has been the approach of many in recent years may be about to come to a close. Not only has the Legal Services Board (

Being Kind Could Soon Be Mandatory

As LawCare research project reveals worrying levels of depression, stress and anxiety amongst solicitors, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is coming under pressure to take

Greater Support Needed with Menopause

Following ‘menopause awareness month’ in October, employers everywhere are being urged to do more to assist women experiencing the menopause. The call comes after recent reports i

SRA Consults on Options for Post Six-Year Run-Off Cover

The Solicitors Regulation Authority is inviting views on options for the future of post six-year run-off insurance cover (PSYROC) and the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF). PSYROC i

Data Protection and Common Sense

The coming into force of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR – now the UK GDPR) did not revolutionise data protection and the management of data nor preserve personal info

SRA Publishes New and Revised Guidance

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has this week published a number of new and revised SRA Guidance documents for solicitors. The SRA Guidance documents, which cover a rang

SRA Enforcement Activity of AML Obligations

Enforcement of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 With apologies to some, we return again to the topic of compliance with the anti-money laundering obligations this month in the

New Cyber Losses Clause for Minimum Terms and Conditions

The Solicitors regulation Authority has announced that a new clause, making it clear what cover will be provided for cyber losses, will be added to the minimum terms and conditions

Responsibilities as Trust and Company Service Providers

The whole issue of what is involved in being a “trust and company service provider” (‘TCSP’) has been receiving much more attention from the SRA of late. Any failure to get to gri

Law Society statement on SIF

The Law Society Council has issued a statement on the closure of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF), expressing its ongoing commitment to working with the Solicitors Regulation Au

SRA publishes new AML report

In its latest threat assessment, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has estimated that at least 70,000 people are currently engaged in serious organised crime in the UK, with upwards

Legal Regulatory Reform in Scotland

The Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Government have announced that a new consultation is underway looking at the regulation of legal services in Scotland. The Scottish Go

Guidance on Sanctions Controls

As many law firms will testify, finding that a client is listed on the consolidated sanctions controls list maintained by HM Treasury will be one of the most frustrating compliance

A New Direction for Data Protection

There can be little argument that the current regime for data protection in the UK has become complicated. Moreover, since the introduction in the UK of the General Data Protectio

Further calls for empowerment of consumers

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has launched yet another consumer focused consultation – this time on a draft statutory statement of policy on empowering consumers which outlines ho

SRA urges solicitors to respond to frozen asset list

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has reminded solicitors that they have just over month to check the latest HM Treasury Consolidated List of asset freeze targets to make s

Practising in the Coroner’s Court

The Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Bar Standards Board and CILEx Regulation have published new guidance and resources designed to ensure standards for solicitors, barristers

Fees and Compensation Fund Contributions to Fall

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced that individual practising fee levels for 2021/22 are to fall. The proposed fees were set by the SRA Board in July and the

SRA Reports and Priorities

The SRA issued its annual “Upholding Professional Standards” report for 2019/20 last month. In so doing they have outlined some of their more public activities and have also provid

More Technology Innovation Needed

Independent research into innovation in the legal sector carried out on behalf of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has revealed that there is insufficient advancement for