The ICO has fined a firm £60,000 following a cyber-attack. What is interesting is that the firm in question specialises in law relating to crime, military, family fraud, sexual offences, and actions against the police. The ICO found that the firm had failed to put appropriate measures in place to ensure the security of personal …
The LSAG advisory note is required reading for all practitioners to whom the AML regime is relevant; note that it includes some very useful guidance on alternatives to face to face documentary verification. It states that: ‘Such methods may include (but are not limited to): Digital ID&V services that meet the requirements of the MLRs …
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The SRA has taken the unusual step of publishing a statement as to why it did not take enforcement action against a firm that received a complaint involving concerns regarding solicitors becoming involved in abusive litigation aimed at silencing legitimate criticism – known as SLAPPs (strategic litigation against public participation). Firms should note the wider …
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Just a reminder to firms that the CLC reported in 2024 on changes to payments systems designed to help tackle fraud. Purpose Codes are four letter codes which are carried across the payment chain, providing information to all users in the payments chain to indicate the reason a payment is being made. Firms are reminded …
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The CA has heard a case in which the issue was whether the Conditional Fee Agreement (‘CFA’) entered into between the respondent (the claimant in the original proceedings) and his solicitors Boyes Turner LLP (‘BT’) on 24 March 2015 had retrospective effect. Both the Costs Judge and Lavender J decided that it did. The appellants, …
The CLC has issued a notice to clients as follows: ‘If you were a client of a CLC regulated practice who acted for you in an investment property transaction such as the purchase of hotel rooms and student accommodation units in developments that did not complete (“Investment Property Transactions”) and have incurred a direct loss …
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The SC has also heard an interesting case regarding the interrelationship between success fees under a CFA and an order for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. The case summary is as follows: ‘Background to the Appeal The issue on this appeal is whether an order for financial provision …
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The MoJ has issued an update on the increases to selected court and tribunal fees which come into effect on 8 April 2025. The majority of the 171 fees in scope will be increased by 3.2% to reflect the change in CPI between March 2023 and March 2024, with a small number of fees increased …
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