SRA seeks power to launch “spot checks” of law firms
Philip: 48 outstanding SLAPPs cases The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has called for the power to launch “wide-sweeping inspections” of law firms without needing the trigger of a specific allegation of misconduct. Chief executive Paul Philip made the request while revealing that the first two cases involving alleged SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation) have […]
Law firm fines should be a minimum of £5k, says SRA
Fines: No limits in cases of economic crime The Solicitors Regulation Authority (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. It has also laid out how it intends to apply its new unlimited fining power in cases […]
SRA to appeal decision to clear Dentons over AML breaches
Dentons: Breach not systemic, tribunal held The High Court looks set to rule on whether a tribunal was right to find that Dentons’ breach of the anti-money laundering (AML) rules was “inadvertent” and did not amount to professional misconduct. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) announced on Friday that it is to appeal the Solicitors Disciplinary […]
Bradford law firm fined £10,700 by SRA for deducting more than 25% from damages
A West Yorkshire firm has been fined by the regulator for charging personal injury clients higher fees than allowed under the rules on damages-based agreements. The Solicitors Regulation Authority found at least 26 client files where Proctor & Hobbs Limited had charged 35% from the recovered damages, in contravention of the rules on damages based […]
SRA ordered to pay costs after “flawed” ban on non-solicitor
SDT: Serious irregularity The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has ordered the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to pay costs of £5,000 after bringing a “flawed and misconceived” case against a non-solicitor. The tribunal said the evidence “purportedly showing” that Ryan Herrmann had dishonestly held himself out as a solicitor had not been “properly analysed” by the […]
National law firm hit with £22k fine by SRA for anti money-laundering breaches
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has imposed one of its biggest fines against a law firm after another case where anti money-laundering measures were not up to scratch. GD Legal, which has its head office in Greater Manchester, was fined £21,843 for failing to have in place the right documents as required by money laundering regulations. […]