Law Society Gazette 17 February 2014

City SRA warning

City lawyers have warned that moves to strengthen the powers of the Solicitors Regulation Authority are a ‘retrograde step’. The City of London Law Society last week supported a ‘moderate increase’ in the regulator’s fining powers to an upper limit of £10,000, up from the current £2,000. But the organisation warned that giving the SRA scope over more serious disciplinary matters, rather than passing them on to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, risks handing too much authority to the frontline regulator.

19 February 2004

Home Information Packs to be launched in 2007

Solicitors have three years to gear up for the controversial home information packs (HIPs) after the government said they will be introduced on 1 January 2007. The later-than-expected date is mainly to allow universities and colleges time to set up and run training courses for the 5,000 to 8,000 inspectors estimated to be needed to do home condition reports.

16 February 1994

Tribunal opening

Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal hearings are set to open to the public from the beginning of next month. An LCD spokesman confirmed this week that Lord Mackay was aiming to lay the appropriate statutory instrument on 1 March. Opening the tribunal’s doors has been a long process. Tribunal members have struggled over the merits and demerits of going public, acknowledging that there may be negative side-effects to publicity. But, on balance, the members believe there will be more benefits from increased openness.

February 1924

Proceedings of the Council

It was unanimously resolved that the Council have observed with great pleasure the appointment of the Rt Hon the Viscount Haldane to the office of Lord High Chancellor. The Council venture to congratulate Lord Haldane on his appointment, and to wish for him a successful term of office.

Topics