Professional and financial risks
Lawyers Covered - September 2023
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreSRA fining powers – putting the SDT out of business?
The SRA is on a mission to increase its powers to levy financial penalties. The last 12 months have seen a substantial increase in its fining powers, and a grant of unlimited fining powers in matters relating to financial crime and SLAPPs is imminent. The SRA has now dramatically upped the ante, seeking the power to levy unlimited fines in all cases of serious misconduct. With the Legal Services Board appearing supportive, the proposal has the potential profoundly to affect the enforcement of professional discipline within the profession.
Read moreMoney Covered: The Week that Was - 25 August
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.
Read moreSetting aside a transaction for a mistake - does it work for tax schemes?
The doctrine of mistake can be a useful tool if a professional provides advice that the transfer of an asset can save tax and it turns out that the advice was wrong. In circumstances where the structure of the transaction adopted involves a gift, then if a taxpayer can establish mistake, it is possible to unwind the transaction and remove the tax liability altogether (including interest and penalties).
Read moreAFMs receive B+ from the FCA: Good but could do better
In the wake of the FCA's new consumer duty requiring firms to deliver good outcomes for consumers that meet their needs and offer fair value, it comes as no surprise that the FCA has 'followed up' on its July 2021 review.
Read moreA Principal's responsibility for an Appointed Representative – a tale of a summary judgment
A recent summary judgment application, successfully made by claimants against a principal, provided that the principal was responsible for the acts of an appointed representative under the appointed representative agreement and highlights the risks of an unclear appointed representative agreement. The judgment also provides some useful commentary when it comes to considering the court's approach to the critical but potentially difficult distinction between limitations on what an appointed representative can do and on how the appointed representative should do it.
Read moreDirectors' duties post Sequana – a differentiating factor?
As expected, the scope of directors' duties whilst a company is in financial difficulties has been the source of further consideration by the Court. The recent case of Hunt v Singh [2023] EWHC 1784 raised the question as to whether, following the Supreme Court decision in BTI 2014 LLC v Sequana SA, a director's duty to take into account the interests of creditors arises where the company is at the relevant time insolvent if a disputed liability comes to fruition. In Hunt, the disputed liability was to HMRC where the directors (wrongly, as it later turned out) believed that the tax scheme they were involved in worked.
Read moreMoney Covered: The Week that Was - 04 August
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.
Read moreFix up, look sharp: FRC update
What's the latest on fixed recoverable costs in professional negligence claims?
Read moreMoney Covered: The Week that Was - 28 July
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.
Read moreLawyers Covered - July 2023
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreEnhanced Regulatory Supervision of Asset Managers in Europe – Greenwashing Risks
A common methodology has been developed by ESMA to allow national European regulators to share knowledge and experiences to facilitate convergence in how they supervise sustainability related disclosures.
Read moreMoney Covered: The Week that Was - 07 July
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.
Read moreLawyers Covered - June 2023
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreThe Month That Was – June 2023 – Equity Release – the next emerging risk?
Welcome to Money Covered, a monthly podcast from RPC aimed at those dealing with complaints, claims and risk management in the financial services sector.
Read moreThe Building Safety Act 2022: a guide for conveyancers
We explain below how the BSA is intended to protect leaseholders, what steps solicitors can take to ensure purchasers and lenders are protected and what to do if that protection cannot be obtained.
Read moreDuties to third party investors in tax avoidance schemes following McClean
We analyse the Court of Appeal's recent decision in David McLean and others v Andrew Thornhill KC in which the court considered the circumstances in which duties are owed to non-clients in the context of legal advice made available to investors in tax schemes.
Read moreLawyers Covered - May 2023
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreA Portfolio Letter for SIPP operators – are the goalposts being moved again?
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a Portfolio Letter for SIPP operators setting out "old" concerns and arguably introducing new expectations under the Consumer Duty. The letter is likely to leave SIPP providers feeling uneasy about what is expected of them going forward and what the new Consumer Duty means for their business.
Read moreWhat the fix?!
Fixed recoverable costs in professional negligence claims: new rules applicable from 1 October 2023
Read moreWasted costs – some comfort for legal professionals
In its recent judgment in Anthony King and others v Barry Stiefel and others the Commercial Court has considered the circumstances in which wasted costs orders can be made against the legal representatives of a defeated party to a claim. The court dismissed the applications saying that wasted costs applications should only be made in respect of straightforward applications which can be dealt with summarily.
Read moreThe Month That Was – May 2023 – Developments for Directors and Officers liability
Welcome to Money Covered, a monthly podcast from RPC aimed at those dealing with complaints, claims and risk management in the financial services sector.
Read moreLawyers Covered - April 2023
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreNew developments in AI may put law firms at greater risk of phishing fraud
As the computing power of Artificial Intelligence continues to grow exponentially, we consider how generative technology may expand the reach of traditional phishing frauds aimed at law firms.
Read moreLawyers Covered - March 2023
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreThe Financial Ombudsman Service – a jurisdiction that knows no bounds?
Last week many of us were working out what Jeremy Hunt's budget meant for our personal finances and wondering what was going on in the banking market. As a result a couple of developments at FOS may well have flown under the radar – (1) increase in the FOS cap and (2) a call for evidence on access to FOS for small and medium sized entities (SMEs). The changes increase the impact of FOS and could increase its scope if the definition of SMEs is changed.
Read moreLawyers Covered - February 2023
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreA matter of interpretation – the Supreme Court look at contractual interpretation once more
In their recent Judgment in Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Ltd (a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) v Blacks Outdoor Retails Ltd [2023] UKSC 2 the Supreme Court adopted a commercially balanced interpretation of a lease; rejecting the overly textual approach of the Court of Appeal in favour of reading the relevant clause in the context of the lease as a whole.
Read moreYour statement or mine? Witness statements under Practice Direction 57AC
The judgment of Mr Justice Fancourt in Mackenzie v Rosenblatt Solicitors & Anor [2023] EWHC 331 (Ch) has highlighted, in no less than 36 paragraphs on the matter, the importance of ensuring compliance and understanding of Practice Direction 57AC - Trial Witness Statements in the Business and Property Courts ("PD 57AC"), when preparing witness statements.
Read moreMoney Covered: February 2023 – an insight into Liability Driven Investments (LDI)
Welcome to Money Covered, a monthly podcast from RPC aimed at those dealing with complaints, claims and risk management in the financial services sector.
Read moreThe collapse of FTX: lessons for many
From investors to regulators, FTX Trading Ltd (FTX) filing for bankruptcy was unexpected by all. A catalyst for litigation and regulation over the years to come, this collapse will serve as a warning, particularly to cryptocurrency insurers.
Read moreSLAPPs – a round up of the latest developments for the SRA
The last week or so has seen a burst of activity on SLAPPs, alongside criticism of the SRA. This will be of interest to lawyers and their insurers.
Read moreLawyers Covered - January 2023
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreThe scope of a solicitor's duty to third parties in the spotlight again
The Claimant (Mr Syed Ul Haq), via his Estate, brought claims against the Defendants for damages arising out of two frauds in connection with the same property. It is central to this appeal to understand that Rees Page Solicitors never acted for the Claimant. It is indeed for that reason Rees Page Solicitors applied for summary judgment on the grounds that the Claimant had no reasonable prospects of success. After hearing the application, on 13 December 2019, Deputy Master Lloyd, granted summary judgment on the basis that as Mr Ul Haq was not a client of Rees Page Solicitors, they did not owe him a duty of care.
Read moreCosts recovered in the Small Claims Track from an unreasonable Litigant in Person
Most (if not all) litigators will be familiar with the challenge of being on the other side of a claim brought by a litigant in person ("LiP"). The courts expect practitioners to be sensitive to their opponent's lack of legal expertise and familiarity with court rules, but judges have also been clear that they expect all parties – including LiPs – to follow the rules regardless of their legal representation.
Read moreWaiver of a solicitor’s equitable lien: Candey Ltd v Russell Crumpler and another
The Supreme Court has considered the circumstances in which a solicitor may waive or surrender their lien.
Read moreLawyers Covered - December 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreSRA issues Warning Notice on solicitors' involvement in SLAPPs
SLAPPs (aka 'Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation') is a term coined in the USA. They are becoming the object of increasing concern over here too.
Read moreLawyers Covered - November 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreFCA publishes final rules for the long anticipated British Steel redress scheme under s.404 of FSMA
Readers of this blog space will remember that we published an article on 22 December 2021 discussing the FCA's proposed consultation on a redress scheme under s.404 of the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) covering transfers from the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS). The final rules have now been published in Policy Statement PS22/14, just in time for the festive period. It is, perhaps, not the Christmas present that the industry and its insurers wanted.
Read moreInvest in due diligence for dubious schemes (Part 2)
With suspicious activity on the rise, the SRA remind firms of their anti-money laundering obligations.
Read moreImportant changes to Legal Ombudsman Scheme Rules from 1 April 2023
On 28 October 2022, LeO confirmed it will be implementing significant changes to its Scheme Rules, coming into effect on 1 April 2023
Read moreLawyers Covered - October 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreBelsner v CAM Legal Services Ltd and claiming the shortfall from your client
Belsner v CAM Legal Services Ltd [2020] EWHC 2755 (QB) held that a lawyer must make sufficient disclosure so that their client can provide informed consent when it comes to recovering any shortfall in costs from them.
Read moreHong Kong – Claim pleading duty of care against auditor struck out for "putting the cart before the horse"
In Chan Kam Cheung v Ronnie K W Choi & Anor [2022] HKCFI 3028, a judge upheld a master's (judicial officer's) decision to strike out the plaintiff shareholder's action against the former auditors of the company.
Read moreSolicitors Entitled to Insurance Cover for Liability for Fees: Royal Sun Alliance Insurance Limited & Others v Tughans (a firm)
In a recent judgment, Foxton J held that a claim for damages against a firm of solicitors for fees which it was contractually entitled to was covered under the firm's professional indemnity insurance. He held that it did not matter if the fees were obtained through the solicitor's fraudulent misrepresentation provided that the solicitor had done what was required under the contract to earn the fees. The decision will not be welcomed by insurers.
Read moreLawyers Covered - September 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreLawyers' Risks in Acting for Corporate Clients Without Authority
The recent decision in Rushbrooke UK Ltd v 4 Designs Concept Ltd [2022] EWHC 1687 (Ch) has highlighted the dangers for lawyers in acting for corporate clients on the instructions of a director without authority of the company. Most of the authority in this area has focused on commencement of litigation but the principles apply too to transactional matters.
Read moreShorter time limit for Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010 claims
A recent judgment has reduced the limitation period for third parties to make direct claims against insurers under the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010 when compared to claims under the predecessor 1930 Act. The decision will make it easier for insurers to defend such claims on limitation grounds.
Read moreLawyers Covered - August 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
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