How to complete the SRA diversity data survey 2021
It’s that time again!
It may feel like you have only just submitted your last round of diversity data to the SRA. But it has already been 2 years and it is almost time to do it all over again.
The SRA diversity monitoring exercise is mandatory. All firms are required to collect, report and publish diversity information.
Dealing with conflicts of interest [12 tips]
Dealing with conflicts of interest is a day-to-day part of legal practice. It is (or should be) at the forefront of every lawyer’s mind when they take on a new client and beyond.
Sometimes, it’s worth refreshing our understanding of even basic key concepts.
In this post, we look at the different types of conflicts and the practical steps you can take to mitigate the risk.
News and Guidance
SRA Updates
- SRA extends the closure date of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) – a year’s breathing space for the regulators, professional representatives and insurers to put their heads together before we reach a cliff edge for retired solicitors.
- Regulators consider forcing firms to sign up to review websites – the transparency agenda marches on. Comparison sites are likely to be the biggest winners.
- SRA plans to prosecute any solicitor flouting pre-med ban – PI solicitors take note.
- SRA to follow FCA on capping claims management fees
Law Society Updates
Other updates
- Plan for single register of all regulated and unregulated legal providers
- EU approves new Standard Contractual Clauses – UK version expected to follow later this year
- Papa John’s fined £10,000 by ICO for sending 160,000 marketing texts and emails without valid consent. A ‘soft’ opt in relied upon by the pizza chain was ineffective because customers were not provided with with a privacy notice 🍕
Webinar training
In this month’s training we are going back to basics, with a session on confidentiality and conflicts. An oldie but a goodie. The registration has been circulated and there are a handful of places left.
Date: Weds, 23 June
Time: 12-1pm
Venue: Zoom
Disciplinary decisions
- Patrick Asemota (COLP) and Kwasi Boakye Yiadom (partner) – fined £2,000 each (the maximum without going through the SDT) after undertaking probate work without having the necessary skills or experience.
- Robert Wiggans – struck off solicitor jailed for stealing £200k of vulnerable client’s money.
- Peter Brothwell – struck off for dishonestly overcharging deceased client’s estate
- Ian Burleton – finance team member struck off (section 43 order) having been successfully prosecuted for pocketing money intended to pay the firm’s suppliers.
- Tracey Ann Sheehan – Hill Dickinson partner struck off for dishonestly ‘inventing’ billing figures to secure partner position (glorified CV embellishment)
