The Home Office has published guidance on the Failure to Prevent Fraud offence. Here is the link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/offence-of-failure-to-prevent-fraud-introduced-by-eccta Under the offence large organisations may be held criminally liable where an employee, agent, subsidiary, or other “associated person”, commits a fraud intending to benefit the organisation. The offence is intended to encourage organisations to build an […]
The Law Society has published a report on this topic. Here is a link to where you may read a summary and download the full report: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/research/international-data-insights-2024#download In short the influence of English law continues to grow. It is seen as the law of choice for international trade. We do a lot of work assisting […]
In the November 2024 COLP & COFA Conference the SRA gave notice that it would be starting spot checks in 2025 on firms to check that Client Account Audits were being carried out when they were supposed to be. We've just received notification from one of our law firm clients that they have received an […]
Following a thematic review in 2023 and consultation, the SRA has issued guidn=ance for the 34,5000 inhouse solicitors that it regulates. The include practical examples, resources and checklists. Here's a link to the page on their website: https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/news/press/support-in-house-solicitors/ The Guidance: Assistance from us We support businesses in the legal profession with compliance - with SRA […]
On 30th September the SRA published new Guidance on how it expects firms to comply with the Transparency Rules. There is no change to the rules, but they have published new and updated resources. Whereas before the information was a little difficult to follow, now it is more detailed with templates. It should be easier […]
The Legal Ombudsman has issued Guidance from with case studies, setting out the types of issues involved in these cases, and how they're likely approach them if they were referred to them. Although mention is made early on in the advice about success fees, the guidance is of general application to all costs complaints and […]
We have received clarification from the SRA of their ambiguous word concerning legal work experience. In their helpful tool summarising what they want with regard to those qualified in certain jurisdictions which they have considered, the SRA write: "xx months legal work experience post-qualification as a xxx advocate (substitute in the description of a qualified […]
This applies to all SRA-regulated firms and people. Here is a link: https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/financial-sanctions-regime/ Below is a summary of the changes, taken from the SRA web page: "Summary of changes This guidance was first published on 28 November 2022. This version provides updates based on legislative changes and our more recent proactive supervision. The major changes […]
The SRA has now started to send this out. You will have until 23rd September 2024 to complete and submit the form. Here is a link to a copy of the email received by one of our law firm clients: https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SRA-Email-re-AML-Sanctions-Questionnaire-Aug-2024.pdf Their questions are the same as those they shared in their warning email of […]
We have obtained clarification from the SRA concerning the requirement for the Letter of Reference being on Headed Paper. The SRA requires the form you submit for your application for exemption from the SQE2 exam to be accompanied by a Letter of Reference from the applicant's supervisor - who directly supervised the legal work that […]
