Criminal barristers push ahead with strike action over legal aid fees June 27, 2022 Criminal barristers are today set to walk out of courts across England and Wales, after last week voting to strike amid a long-running dispute with the government over legal aid fees. Barristers, who are expected to picket outside of London’s Old Bailey court today, are calling on the government to increase legal aid fees by [...]
Solicitors’ watchdog advances crackdown on ‘lawfare’ with more than 20 SLAPP investigations June 26, 2022 The solicitors’ watchdog has launched more than 20 investigations into UK law firms over their involvement in SLAPP lawsuits, as part of its efforts to crack down on the use of Britain’s libel laws to silence the press and other legitimate criticism. The Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA) now has more than 20 open cases over [...]
Tory MP warns of ‘conflicts of interest’ in UK’s accounting watchdog after FRC hired EY to advise on plans June 26, 2022 A Tory MP has warned of potential conflicts of interest inside the UK’s accounting watchdog, following reports that Britain’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) brought in consultants from EY to advise on one of its plans. Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake hit out at the FRC for hiring advisors from the Big Four auditor, as the watchdog [...]
UAE fund turns on top City lawyer in bid to exit Iranian-American airline tycoon’s hacked emails case June 23, 2022 Embattled City lawyer Neil Gerrard suffered another blow this week, after his former client, an Emirati sovereign fund, turned on the ex-Dechert partner, after offering to pay $1m to settle a case brought against it by a powerful Iranian-American business tycoon. The fund’s efforts to distance itself from Dechert’s former head of white-collar crime comes [...]
City watchdog hits Ghana International Bank with £5.8m fine over money laundering failures June 23, 2022 The UK’s financial watchdog has fined Ghana International Bank £5.8m over its poor anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing control measures. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) fined the London bank over its failure to carry out proper checks for money laundering. The watchdog said that while there is no evidence any money laundering actually took place, [...]
Supreme Court ruling paves way for 5G coverage expansion in the UK June 22, 2022 The Supreme Court handed down a fresh ruling this morning that makes it easier for telecommunications firms to deploy 5G infrastructure in the UK.
Lawyers say ‘Bill of Rights’ will make government less accountable June 22, 2022 Lawyers have hit out at the government’s plans to scrap the Human Rights Act, over claims it is an attack on the rule of law that risks undermining Britain’s international reputation. Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said the plans risk ruining Britain’s reputation “with trade partners, business, and in the international arena,” as [...]
Credit Suisse and Citco face £430m lawsuit over Chelsea property deal that lost Vatican £100m June 22, 2022 The filing of a €500m (£430m) lawsuit against Credit Suisse and Citco over the loss of millions in charitable funds through a Chelsea property deal has led to calls for greater transparency around the “origins of money used to purchase high-value property” in Britain. The calls come after Anglo-Italian financier Raffaele Mincione’s WRM Group filed [...]
City watchdog vows to pursue retrial in collapsed insider trading case June 22, 2022 The UK’s financial watchdog has said it will seek a retrial against two men accused of insider trading, after a jury was unable to reach a verdict last month. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it will pursue a retrial against plastics company exec Stuart Bayes and his friend Jonathan Swann. The FCA accused [...]
Insurers calls on government to expand pensions ‘auto-enrolment’ scheme June 21, 2022 The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has called on the government to to expand its pensions “auto-enrolment” scheme, following a review of the policy’s successes since it came into force a decade ago. The ABI said the government should set out plans to expand its auto-enrolment policy, which requires employers to automatically enroll all staff [...]