Solicitors and Their Private Lives
When are solicitors’ private lives are their own? The High Court’s decision of 27 November 2020 in Ryan Beckwith v SRA [2020] EWHC 3231 (Admin), which the SRA has said it will not appeal, has at long last put down…
Covid-19 and SRA Approach to Compliance
Continuing to meet high standards during COVID The SRA has at last issued a brief statement on this very significant issue. I suspect the virus has massively impacted on the Authority and I know many employees are working from home.…
Solicitors and Drink Driving… again!
The article below was printed in the Law Society Gazette and prompted quite a discussion! SRA Principles In September 2018 I described how the SRA were dealing with solicitors convicted of drink driving, and the need for a more discerning…
A Short Guide to the New SRA Accounts Rules
A much simpler set of Accounts Rules A much simpler set of Accounts Rules will come into force in November 2019, and will for the first time give firms, managers and sole practitioners considerable flexibility on how they go about…
How the Leigh Day Appeal Reaffirmed some Basic Principles
An end to the disciplinary proceedings instituted by the SRA On the 19 October 2018, the Administrative Court handed down its judgment in SRA v Martyn Day and others CO/146/2018. It probably brings an end to the disciplinary proceedings instituted…
Solicitors and criminal convictions
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal regularly deals with applications brought by the SRA following the conclusion of criminal proceedings against solicitors. The conviction sometimes forms the entire basis of the proceedings, but otherwise may just be part…
Solicitors and drink driving
Multiple drink driving offfences In late 2013 Aidan Loy committed three drink driving offences for which he was sentenced in December 2013 and February 2014. The second two offences were dealt with together, and as they were all committed in…
Careless talk costs careers
Consequences of careless talk The recently published judgment in Forz Khan v Bar Standards Board provides insight into the professional consequences of careless talk and use of LinkedIn. It comes hot on the heels of an SDT judgment in Deborah…
Solicitors and Mental Health
LawCare LawCare released striking statistics at the beginning of 2018 which show the number of lawyers calling for help is increasing. Lawyers’ mental and emotional health has been slowly creeping up the agenda and even the SRA is recognising there…
Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal Consults on the Standard of Proof
The criminal standard in disciplinary proceedings The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal applies the criminal standard in disciplinary proceedings and between now and the 8 October is now consulting on whether this is fit for purpose. It will receive views and decide…