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FeatureParty of three
Third-party managed accounts have become a hot topic recently. Helen Carr outlines what they are and why they are on the radar of the regulators
FeatureCompliance bingo
Eloise Butterworth’s recent post on LinkedIn sparked conversation among risk professionals. Here she outlines the top 10 phrases that compliance officers dread hearing
FeatureBorderless business
With law firms and individuals increasingly engaging in international work, Matthew Edwards looks at regulatory requirements for cross-border activities
FeatureA question of ethics
Iain Miller takes a deep dive into how ethics underpins the professional conduct of solicitors and its impact on the culture of law firms
FeatureFostering ethics
The subject of solicitors acting ethically is back under the spotlight of legal regulators. Rebecca Atkinson asks whether ethics can be taught
FeatureCounting the cost
Tim Kidd explores the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s recent consultation on its proposed changes to the handling of client money
FeatureAML matters
With fines becoming more common and higher in value, Colette Best outlines the recent anti-money laundering changes that should be on your radar
FeatureWord of warning
Nigel West considers a judgment on the use of AI for legal research, which serves as a warning to all law firms to ensure they have procedures in place to control its usage
FeatureLegal Aid Agency breach – one rule for us, another for you?
The cyber attack on the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) was a massive data breach and caused huge operational disruption. Mitigo outline the lessons that can be learned from the consequences of underinvestment in cyber risk management
FeatureCompliance and the use of AI in law firms
Practical Law Practice Compliance & Management, with Natalie Cooksey and Karim Nassar of Travers Smith LLP
FeatureWhat a sham
Paul Bennett examines the threat posed by sham litigation within the legal sector, and outlines what lawyers can do to protect themselves and their firms
FeatureIn agreement?
Jonathon Bray looks at the rise of regulatory settlement agreements and how they’re used – together with some of the concerns the profession has about them
FeatureFraud matters
Pearl Moses outlines what the new requirement to prevent fraud means for solicitors and compliance professionals
FeatureA moving target
Current global volatility means it’s more important than ever to understand how your firm is exposed to sanctions and how you can mitigate risk, writes Hugo Lodge
FeatureIn-house in order
In light of the scrutiny lawyers are under in the wake of the Post Office scandal, Andy Donovan considers some safeguards that lawyers can put in place to meet their professional obligations
FeatureExecutive regulation
Matthew Edwards considers proposals for the Solicitors Regulation Authority to take over the regulation of legal executives
FeatureAre you serious?
Following the recent ruling in the Dentons case, Nigel West asks if the SRA will start to prosecute firms as well as individuals
FeatureSpring renewal – key findings
Arjun Rohilla and Dan Blundell of Paragon provide an overview of what to expect when renewing professional indemnity insurance this year
FeatureThe regulatory pitfalls in post-completion
Priscilla Sinder outlines how post-completion processes in property transactions can help compliance officers meet their regulatory obligations and avoid costly mistakes
FeatureRansomware – new government proposals
The government has announced new regulations designed to limit the rise in ransomware attacks. Lindsay Hill, CEO of Law Society partner Mitigo provides an overview of the plans
FeatureOwning up to mistakes
Paul Bennett, Jonathon Bray and Alexis Hearnden discuss the importance of owning up to mistakes
FeatureProceed with caution
Nigel West considers the implications of the Uyghur case for the UK’s framework for investigating money laundering and recovering the proceeds of crime
FeatureRaising the bar
Julie Norris outlines the authorisation of barristers employed in law firms and considers some of the compliance pitfalls that can arise
FeatureOn the money
Sarah Charlton comments on what the current SRA consultation on consumer protection may mean for solicitors handling client money
FeatureProcedural matters
Many firms are still struggling to have the correct anti-money laundering policies, controls and procedures in place. Alison Matthews summarises the key requirements
FeatureMy compliance career
Charlotte Murray is a senior risk lawyer at Freeths. She shares her journey into law and how she forged a career in risk and compliance
FeatureAn element of suspicion?
Understanding the anti-money laundering definition of ‘suspicion’ is not as straightforward as it may appear. Amy Bell looks at the detail
FeatureWhat the change in PEP regulations means for you
Richard Simms, founding director of anti-money laundering online platform AMLCC, explores the recent change in the regulation of domestic politically exposed persons
FeatureChallenges in sanctions compliance
Katarina Pranjic of Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions looks at the challenges of managing sanctions risks, and provides some top tips for keeping on top of the changes
FeatureSLAPP down
Rebecca Atkinson outlines what SLAPPs are and looks at why their use by firms is on the SRA’s radar
FeatureCall of duty
Paul Bennett discusses new obligations around preventing sexual harassment in the workplace
FeatureBeast of burden
Is the regulatory burden for solicitors increasing or does it just seem that way? Duncan Finlyson considers recent developments
FeatureUnder investigation
Susanna Heley outlines what to expect when the SRA decides to investigate or take disciplinary action
FeatureHeld to account
Andy Donovan appeared on the BBC recently and was asked to explain to the viewing public how so much client money could go missing. He outlines his personal response here
FeatureAct of intelligence
There has been a lot of media coverage about the benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence, and the speed of its development. Jessica Clay and Lauren Chalker consider the challenges of regulation and whether it is keeping pace
FeatureA question of competence
The SRA recently published its second annual assessment of continuing competence for 2024. Melissa Hardee considers the findings
FeatureResidual balances – a silent danger?
Robert Blech considers residual balances and outlines the dangers of not addressing the issue in law firms
FeatureInvisible processing of data
Tony Imossi of the Association of British Investigators (ABI) explores the practice of processing personal data without an individual’s knowledge, and outlines the risks it poses to solicitors
FeaturePeriod of renewal
Piers Winton considers some of the current risk trends that fall outside of the usual professional indemnity insurance renewal factors
FeatureChallenging behaviour
Zoë Allen-Robinson looks at the regulator’s requirement for managers in law firms to challenge unfair behaviour
FeatureRules of engagement
Frank Maher looks at the regulatory obligations around limiting liability to clients in engagement letters
FeatureFor the record
Continuing competence is essential to providing high-quality legal services and maintaining public trust in the profession. Fiona Anthony shares the steps you can take to ensure you are satisfying the SRA’s requirements
FeatureValue judgement
Susanna Heley considers the increasingly broad range of ethical obligations applying to individuals and firms
FeatureServe and protect
Following the recent cyber attacks at CTS, Law Society partner Mitigo asks how to protect your firm’s data when using a managed service provider
FeaturePaying the cost
Nigel West looks at the question of whether the SRA should pay for a solicitor’s costs in unsuccessful disciplinary proceedings
FeatureOn account
Karen Edwards outlines the benefits and the risks of firms taking credit card payments for client accounts
FeatureAre DUIs a regulatory matter?
In recent actions by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), drink-driving offences have become significantly more costly for solicitors, serving as a stark reminder of the regulator’s expected standards around personal conduct
FeatureHM Treasury AML supervision report
HM Treasury has published its 2022/23 report on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) supervision. Rick Kent, anti-money laundering policy manager at the Law Society, looks at the key changes
FeatureNew realities in risk
In this abridged version of his keynote speech at the annual Risk and Compliance Conference on 21 March 2024, Iain Miller examines the changing regulatory landscape
FeatureInto the breach
Rebecca Atkinson considers the reporting obligations for regulated solicitors and outlines how to establish if a breach is serious enough to report to the Solicitors Regulation Authority
FeatureDomino effect
Jayne Willetts and Bronwen Still consider the proposals for the Solicitors Regulation Authority to regulate legal executives
FeatureRisky business
The number of anti-money laundering audits conducted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority are increasing, with larger fines imposed for breaches. Alison Matthews outlines how having a robust firm-wide risk assessment can mitigate your risk
FeatureSourcing it
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is looking more closely at anti-money laundering compliance in law firms. Harriet Holmes considers what you can do to prepare for a possible inspection
FeatureHow to be an effective COLP
As compliance frameworks become more complex, and regulators get new fining powers, the compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) is an increasingly pivotal role. Jonathon Bray offers his top tips on how to be effective in this position
FeatureDiversity and inclusion – the benefits to your firm
Pearl Moses reflects on her experience with diversity and inclusion in the legal sector and although she says the profession is changing, bias remains an issue
FeatureCareer ahead
Careers in risk and compliance are changing. Rebecca Atkinson and Daniel Chatfield outline the key trends ahead
FeaturePenalty points
Anita Clifford discusses the continuing changes to the UK sanctions regime including what to look for and the practicalities of reporting a breach
FeatureGetting it right
The regulator is cracking down on anti-money laundering infringements and the fines are getting larger. Amy Bell provides her top tips for making sure your firm is compliant
FeatureThe powers that be
Automatic fines and fixed penalties for non-compliance are about to become the norm. Paul Bennett outlines the regulator’s enforcement policy, and considers what it will mean in terms of risk management in the coming year
FeatureEvidence base
Demonstrating compliance, and evidencing it, is necessary in the current regulatory landscape. Peter Scott offers some practical ways to do it
FeatureEconomic crime update
Andrea Cohen assesses how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has put the prevention and deterrence of economic crime top of the agenda among legal businesses
FeatureDisciplinary case update
Nigel West considers two Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal cases – one regarding a failure to act in the best interests of a client and another on fines for sexual harassment
FeatureCan cyber risks impact on your PII premium?
Lindsay Hill, Mitigo chief executive officer, answers some key questions about the impact of cyber risks on professional indemnity insurance
FeatureThe challenge of challenging behaviour
Rebecca Atkinson explores the SRA’s new fair treatment rule
FeatureStandard bearers
The challenge for any profession is to ensure that its members not only meet the requisite standard to be admitted into the profession, but also that they maintain those standards. This is partly from self-interest – the pride of a profession of the standard which distinguishes it – but, for ...
FeatureA fair hearing?
Susanna Heley and Nigel West consider the SRA’s recent guidance on its approach to fines and decision-making in disciplinary cases, and outline some of the practical issues this raises
FeatureAI risk landscape
Jessica Clay looks at the regulatory landscape developing for the use of artificial intelligence in England and Wales and around the world
FeatureBanking on it
Jonathon Bray considers why a solicitor’s client account cannot be used as a ‘banking facility’ – and how to stay safe
FeatureCopyright and ESG: Ethical imperatives for compliance and responsibility
Colin Hulme, head of intellectual property (IP) at Burness Paull, considers the impact of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) programmes on the observance of copyright by corporates
FeatureAI – the data risks
With artificial intelligence much in the news lately, Robert Bond considers the data protection risks it presents to law firms
FeatureSanctions – new prohibitions
Julie Norris and Alfie Cranmer provide an update on changes to sanctions affecting those providing legal advisory services in the UK
FeatureQuality indicators – does your firm match up?
Jayne Willetts and Bronwen Still consider the key findings of a recent pilot scheme run by the legal regulators on improving quality indicators in the legal sector
FeatureConsultancy matters
Lucy Trevelyan looks at the increasing popularity of the consultancy model of providing legal services
FeatureRegulating behaviour
Jessica Clay and Lucinda Soon summarise how the SRA can regulate solicitors’ behaviour in and out of the workplace, and analyse in what circumstances they will choose to take action
FeatureInsurance matters
The Building Safety Act 2022 has introduced new risks and the impact on the PI insurance market is still unknown. Piers Winton, director at Paragon International Insurance Brokers, looks at what’s in the Act and outlines the risks it poses for law firms
FeatureDelaying tactics and clients - the risks
Jonathon Bray looks at some cases where inaction on client matters resulted in disciplinary action in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. He outlines how to avoid the risks.
FeatureEconomic Crime Act – an update
Laura Williamson provides some top tips on dealing with property transactions where overseas entities are involved
FeatureFair is fair: understanding the SRA ‘fair treatment’ rules
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has introduced a new set of “fair treatment” rules into its Codes of Conduct. Ed Livingstone and Joe Cannon of Fox Williams outline what the changes mean and discuss the key steps all law firms should consider in response to the changes
FeatureThe Building Safety Act − the effect on PI insurance
Piers Winton, Director at Paragon International Insurance Brokers, summarises the Building Safety Act and outlines the risks it poses for law firms
FeatureA question of privilege
Adam Sher considers the issue of privilege and its impact on SRA investigations
FeatureIn confidence
Bronwen Still provides an overview of the regulatory requirements around confidentiality, and outlines some of the more common, and difficult, situations facing firms
FeatureA change in time
Changes to the Legal Ombudsman Scheme Rules came into effect on 1 April 2023. Paul Wightman outlines what to expect
FeatureDevelopments in AML
With the recent SRA announcement that law firms should expect an increase in AML burdens from the UK government, Julie Norris and Charlotte Judd consider some key updates
FeatureSLAPP down: the SRA’s evolving position
Rina Patel considers the SRA’s evolving position on SLAPPS
FeatureTime’s up - workplace culture
Jonathon Bray looks at proposals that law firms with toxic workplace cultures may face disciplinary action in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
FeatureLegal Ombudsman Scheme Rules – the changes
New changes to the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) Scheme Rules – the most significant since the organisation opened – come into effect on 1 April 2023. Paul Wightman outlines what to expect
FeatureRisk outlook
Michelle Garlick outlines what’s on the regulatory horizon and sets out what law firms and their employees can expect in the coming year
FeatureClarity on enforcement?
For the past five years sexual harassment has been a continuing theme in SRA enforcement work. Iain Miller, Jessica Clay and Lucinda Soon consider the most recent guidance
FeatureSupport systems
Tracey Calvert and Paul Bennett consider the obligations of firms with regard to the conduct and behaviour of their support staff
FeatureCyber resolutions
The use of technology to deliver legal services has increased over recent years and with that comes the need for better cybersecurity. Heather Anson outlines how a cyber resolution for the New Year can help
FeatureEconomic crime scene
Jennifer Harper provides an update on the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, part of the government’s strategy to tackle economic crime and improve transparency over corporate entities
FeatureImproving the client experience
Mike Connelly looks at why a positive client experience is a key part of the strategy of a successful law firm, and outlines some top tips on how firms can enhance the way they interact with clients.
Sponsored byIn defence of email—10 top tips
Mitigo highlights six things to consider in light of the SRA’s thematic review on cyber security
FeatureAudit trail–preparing for an AML visit
Carly Fallon provides some top tips on how to prepare for an anti-money laundering audit by the SRA
FeatureMaking a list…be cyber safe this Christmas
Heather Anson, director of Anson Evaluate and co-author of the new edition of the Cyber Security Toolkit, provides some seasonal tips on avoiding cyber breaches during the festive period