In mid September the FCA lead for financial crime, Stephen Smart, spoke at the Law Society's economic crime conference. It seems to be the start of their engagement with the solicitors profession about their anticipated approach to AML regulation when they take that over from the SRA. He acknowledged that there needs to be more […]
The SRA is making changes which will take effect for the first time in the January 2027 sitting of the SQE1 (including for people doing a resit). What are the changes? More time to answer. The number of questions in each of the FLK1 & the FLK2 will be reduced from 180 to 170 (as […]
We’ve produced another CPD course. This one specifically updating you on the Data Use & Access Act 2025 (DUAA) now that all aspects have been brought into force. £30+VAT per view. Click▶Pay▶Watch▶Quiz▶Certificate Link: https://ingemar-s-site.thinkific.com/courses/data-act-2025-compliance-course You’ll also find here CPD courses on AML & other aspects of Data Protection compliance: https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/hcl-launches-cpd-training-courses-data-protection-compliance/
There appears to be a little more flexibility in the SRA's approach. Hitherto we had understood that the supervisor had to be someone who directly supervised the applicant's work. Indeed we had been told that if the applicant had no such person the application for exemption would not be granted and they would have to […]
We have received the following email from Companies house regarding changes that will come in to effect from April 2028. In summary ALL companies, including Small & Micro Companies, will then be required to file Profit & Loss accounts and to file using commercial software. However, small and micro-entities will be able to opt out […]
The SRA has published the result of its review into these 2 topics and has published its proposed changes to the rules. They intend for them to come into force in early 2027 with a phased introduction. That is soon, given the changes firms will have to make - so firms show consider this now […]
In UK vs Secretary of State for the Home Department ([2026] UKUT 00081 (IAC)), the UK Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber has held that whenever a legal practitioner uploads confidential client documents into open-source, non-specialist AI such as ChatGPT, the legal practitioner waives the privilege enjoyed by the client and breaches the confidentiality obligations […]
The Law Society has issued guidance with a Q&A of 20 questions. Here’s the link: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/property/q-and-a/hmrc-mandatory-tax-adviser-registration Create with them an agent services account by 18th May, or if you have one, on 18th May make sure that your account meets the new registration conditions. Firms will have 3 months from 18th May to complete their […]
The Home Office has updated its guidance to version 3.0 – which supersedes all earlier versions. This is of relevance to anyone who does immigration work. Here is the link to the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-with-immigration-advisers-caseworker-guidance/working-with-immigration-advisers-caseworker-guidance-accessible
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 […]
