3+ day, 12+ hour ago   (1090+ words) A barrister who made improper and inaccurate submissions during his closing speech in the Crown Court has been suspended for his “alarmingly incompetent” behaviour. Rajiv Chopra also cannot return to practice after his four-month suspension until he has completed 45 hours…...

3+ day, 18+ hour ago   (814+ words) The Law Society of Northern Ireland (LSNI) is in turmoil over a row about its chief executive giving a character reference for a relative convicted of historical sexual offences. The society has this week revealed that a disciplinary panel had…...

3+ day, 13+ hour ago   (659+ words) Posted by Damian Bradley, partner and head of legal operations at Legal Futures Associate Express Solicitors Bradley: DCP is malfunctioning The latest civil justice figures look deceptively upbeat. Small‑claims trials now average 41 weeks, and fast, intermediate and multi‑track…...

4+ day, 14+ hour ago   (518+ words) SRA: Solicitor responded slowly to requests for information A solicitor responsible for multiple rule breaches – including a shortage in client account – has been fined £20,150 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). A sole practitioner working through Mid-Wales firm Evans Roberts, Bryn…...

4+ day, 14+ hour ago   (346+ words) Tribunal: Court staff reported concerns A male judge found guilty of inappropriate conduct towards junior female tribunal staff would have been sacked had he not already retired, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) has said. Employment Judge Christopher Gaskell retired…...

5+ day, 18+ hour ago   (531+ words) Mariana Dam litigation: Retainer dispute Class action firm Pogust Goodhead (PG) is seeking a court declaration that would deny the legality of the notice purporting to terminate its retainer for the Mariana Dam litigation. Earlier this month, Bailey Glasser International…...

6+ day, 13+ hour ago   (1032+ words) In June, we discussed the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) consultation on client money in legal services. It proposed two significant changes. First, the requirement for all firms to submit annual accountants reports, and second, changes to compliance officer arrangements to…...

1+ week, 13+ hour ago   (617+ words) Accounts: No reconciliations for two and a half years A veteran solicitor who let his firm’s accounts fall into chaos, causing the SRA Compensation Fund to pay out £400,000 to his former clients, has been suspended from practice. An external accountant…...

1+ week, 12+ hour ago   (531+ words) More than 100 lawyers staged a silent protest outside the Old Bailey last week in support of Rajiv Menon, the KC facing contempt of court proceedings for his closing speech. According to the Legal Action Group (LAG), the gathering took place…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (764+ words) Mariana Dam disaster: Next stage of case to be heard next April An extraordinary row broke out yesterday over whether Pogust Goodhead (PG) has been replaced as the solicitors bringing the Mariana Dam case, the largest group action in English…...