SRA “must improve authorisation of law firms” in wake of Axiom Ince
The SRA must pay “immediate attention” to weaknesses in its authorisation process for new law firms in the wake of the Axiom Ince collapse, the Law Society has argued.
Firm’s £3m of invoices face assessment after losing ‘statute bill’ fight
National law firm Weightmans is to have nearly 50 invoices totalling £3m subjected to a detailed assessment after failing to convince a judge they were interim statute bills.
Judge rejects defendant’s request to pay law firm’s £2m costs
A High Court judge has refused a request from a defendant in the London Capital & Finance fraud case to use the proceeds of sale of his home to pay his solicitors over £2m.
SRA agrees to take over regulation of CILEX members
The board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority has agreed to regulate CILEX members if it decides to press ahead with changing regulator.
Niche advice law firm expands into litigation funding agreements
A law firm which specialises in providing independent legal advice where needed in property, banking and finance transactions has expanded to litigation funding agreements.
Partner underperformance hitting many law firms’ profitability
Partner underperformance remains an issue for most law firms and continues to affect profitability “significantly”, according to new research.
Ex-solicitor struck off 24 years ago fails in bid to return to roll
A woman struck off as a solicitor 24 years ago has failed in her second attempt to be restored to the roll, with a tribunal saying the passage of time did not of itself justify it.
Law firm fines should be a minimum of £5k, says SRA
The SRA has proposed that any fine it imposes on law firms should be at least £5,000, as well as ending fines for solicitors convicted of drink-driving.
Five-year suspension for solicitor – for practising while suspended
A veteran solicitor who practised while suspended has been suspended again, although the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal said it had “some reservations” about the sanction.
Water companies win first stage of search providers’ overcharging claim
Water companies have the upper hand after the first stage of a High Court claim brought by conveyancing search providers claiming to have been overcharged for a decade.
