Regulator struggles to tackle harassment and bullying at City law firms Legal It won’t come as a shock to you that City law firms have long struggled with cultures of bullying and harassment, and the regulator is kept out of the loop, argues senior reporter Maria Ward-Brennan. The high-pressure demands placed on lawyers at City law firms have long bred cultures of bullying and harassment. In a [...]
‘Ambulance chasers’ in the crosshairs as claims industry faces scrutiny Legal As London’s legal scene gets more litigious, creeping closer to the American ‘sue everything’ culture, so-called ambulance chasing claims firms are starting to appear in the headlines – for the wrong reasons. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)’s chief executive, Nikhil Rathi, has been critical of claims management companies (CMC) or similarly specialised law firms throughout [...]
City watchdog accused of ‘massive overreach’ in motor finance clampdown Legal The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been accused of a “massive overreach” following letters sent to law firms and claims management companies (CMCs) requesting batches of information under the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers law. The FCA sent letters in August, seen by City AM, requesting information on the law firms’ motor finance services, [...]
Legal sector feeling subdued as regulator loses its AML powers October 23, 2025 The Treasury’s decision to transfer oversight of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing supervision to the FCA has sparked concerns within the professional services sector. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) served as a Professional Body Supervisor (PBS) for AMLCT for law firms across England and Wales, while for the accountancy sector, the HMRC plays the supervision [...]
FCA to take control of anti-money laundering supervision of professional service firms in major reform October 21, 2025 The government’s reform of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing supervision will significantly change and diminish the roles of the legal regulator and HMRC. Today, the Treasury revealed the outcome of its consultation on reforming anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing supervision, primarily for professional services, by creating a Single Professional Services Supervisor (SPSS), with the Financial [...]
Law firms slammed by regulator over risky client practices on high-volume claims August 22, 2025 The legal regulator has criticised law firms that handle high-volume consumer claims for poor practices that could harm the public, warning that urgent improvements are needed.
Horizon fallout: How the SRA is turning up the heat on City firms August 19, 2025 Following the Post Office Horizon scandal, the SRA is turning up the heat on in-house solicitors. Here's what it means for City firms.
Carter-Ruck’s libel lawyer referred to Disciplinary Tribunal August 7, 2025 A partner at the City-based law firm Carter-Ruck, renowned for its libel work, was referred to a prosecution hearing by the legal regulator over an “improper” threat to sue
Lawyer for Nadhim Zahawi seeking to appeal misconduct Tribunal ruling August 5, 2025 The Osborne Clarke lawyer who was found guilty of misconduct for his attempt to silence Dan Neidle on a story over Nadhim Zahawi’s tax affairs is now seeking an appeal.
‘Disgraceful’ claims firms slapped down over ads ahead of motor finance ruling August 4, 2025 As Lord Justice Reed was about to read out the Supreme Court's decision on the motor finance case, he hit out at claim management firms for jumping ahead of the gun