Do the SRA do spot checks on QWE? Well it appears they do. As you may know, we act as External Solicitors to confirm QWE (Qualifying Work Experience) for aspiring solicitors who don't have someone to do this for them in their firm (see below for the service). At the time of publishing this post […]
The UK government has now issued guidance on the use of digital ID verification. It is important that anyone doing digital ID verification reads this. We are sure that, for solicitors, the SRA and in the future the FCA for solicitors, accountants and others, will refer to this when carrying out AML audits. Here is […]
The Data Use & Access Act (DUAA) has brought in a right for people to people to complain to the controller; controllers can stop the clock to clarify the request where this is reasonably required; and there is a requirement to make reasonable and proportionate searches. If someone considers that you've infringed data protection legislation […]
The ICO issued in December 2025 revised guidance on Rights of Access. This is commonly referred to a 'Subject Access. It gives people the right to obtain a copy of their personal information from you, as well as other supplementary information. Here is a link to the updated guidance: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/right-of-access/ It has been updated to […]
Big change. The OFSI Consolidated List of Asset Freeze Targets is closing on 28th January 2026 and will no longer be updated. The only updated list for you to check will be the UK Sanctions List: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list. Here's a link to the article about this: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-to-a-single-list-for-uk-sanctions-designations-28-january-2026 Make sure you update your paperwork and educate staff […]
The judgement in the Mazur case focused on who may conduct litigation – a reserved activity. Many litigation departments use paralegals to do a lot of the work. The judgment caused some concern. Here is the link to the SRA’s guidance in the light of this judgment in case you missed it: SRA | Mazur […]
The MOJ has just published a consultation paper on this proposal. Deadline for submitting responses is 9th February 2026. They are clearly look at where they can raise money to improve the Justice System. There can be little disagreement that it needs to be improved. Currently interest earned on Client Account (not Separate Designated Accounts) […]
The NCA has just issued (November 2025) updated guidance relating to SARs (Suspicious Activity Reports) and DAMLs (Defence Against Money Laundering) & DATFs (defence against terrorist financing) to help reporters seeking a defence under POCA or TACT. Here is a link to the relevant page on the website for the UK Finance Intelligence unit - […]
From the beginning of this month, October 2025, those holding & wishing to hold a Criminal Legal Aid contract MUST: a) register with the ICO as a Data Controllerb) Appoint a Data Protection Supervisor or Data Protection Officerc) Have in place compliant policies (see listed below)d) Train all staff on Data Protection obligations and information […]
It has long been our wish to provide short, to-the-point training courses that people may access at their convenience to upskill on the areas of compliance that we cover. We are at last able to do so. We have started with Data Protection. AML to follow. The course title has a link that takes you […]
