Lawyers say fee hikes punishes profession for regulator blunders Legal The legal watchdog plans to raise its funding by increasing lawyer fees to address past shortfalls, but the legal profession is frustrated, arguing they are being forced to pay for the regulator’s own failures and legacy issues, writes Maria Ward-Brennan. Lawyers are not chuffed at the regulator’s plan to increase its fees in the upcoming [...]
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 [...]
Nick Ephgrave announces surprise retirement from Serious Fraud Office Legal Nick Ephgrave will step down as director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) two and a half years before his first term was due to finish. The former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police was appointed as the SFO’s director, taking over from Lisa Osofsky, who oversaw several errors during her tenure. Ephgrave was the [...]
SFO faces a crisis of confidence as old sins haunt Ephgrave’s tenure July 31, 2025 The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is no stranger to bad publicity, but after yet another historic case comes back to haunt it, its reputation takes another battering.
People love suing solicitors – no wonder PI insurance is so expensive February 12, 2025 Solicitors have been named on the majority of professional indemnity claims. While insurance is legally needed, they don't come cheap
Why the London Stock Exchange is no longer a home for the legal sector January 14, 2025 A scandal broke out at one of the only remaining listed legal groups last week. It is time to say the London Stock Exchange is not the place for the legal sector
SFO charged five men over collapse of law firm Axiom Ince December 20, 2024 The Serious Fraud Office charged five men, including two solicitors, in December following the collapse of the law firm Axiom Ince
Legal watchdog slammed for failing to handle Axiom Ince collapse October 29, 2024 The UK's legal regulator has been slammed for mishandling the collapse of Axiom Ince, which resulted in over 1,000 job losses.
Nick Ephgrave marks one year at Serious Fraud Office. How has he fared as director? September 25, 2024 A former law enforcer was appointed as the director of the Serious Fraud Office one year ago. So how has Nick Ephgrave first year gone at the anti-fraud agency?
City law firms urged to take trainees as US arm set to close London office August 29, 2024 The City of London Law Society issued a letter to its senior partners, asking for help finding roles for trainee lawyers of a US firm that is closing its City office.