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Onwuka, Re Solicitors Act 1974 No 3 of 2002: CA 2 Jul 2002

The trainee appealed against the decision of the Law Society to cancel his student membership on the basis that he was not a fit and proper person to become a solicitor. He had been convicted of criminal damage, but had not notified the Law Society of that conviction. He was convicted of further offences and … Continue reading Onwuka, Re Solicitors Act 1974 No 3 of 2002: CA 2 Jul 2002

W v L: CA 1974

For civil patients, it matters a great deal whether the classification of their condition is ‘severe subnormality’ or just ‘subnormality’ or whether it is ‘mental illness’ or ‘psychopathic disorder’. Lawton LJ discussed the construction of the phrase ‘mental illness’: ‘The answer in my judgment is to be found in the advice which Lord Reid gave … Continue reading W v L: CA 1974

Noueiri v Paragon Finance Plc (Practice Note): CA 19 Sep 2001

Courts should be careful before allowing unqualified persons to represent other parties at court. Pleadings and similar documents must be signed by the party or their qualified legal representative. Others signing them may be in contempt of court and committing criminal offences. A McKenzie friend had no right to act as such, only the right … Continue reading Noueiri v Paragon Finance Plc (Practice Note): CA 19 Sep 2001

Bass and Another v Solicitors Regulation Authority: Admn 18 Jul 2012

The appellants challenged the decision of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal finding them in breach of the 1998 Rules in that they had failed to prevent a former partner making unauthorised, if small, withdrawals of residual balances from client account. No dishonesty had been suggested. Held: The tribunal had been wrong to treat the matter as … Continue reading Bass and Another v Solicitors Regulation Authority: Admn 18 Jul 2012

Hetherington and Another v Solicitors Regulation Authority Ltd: Admn 31 Oct 2022

Appeal, pursuant to section 49 of the Solicitors Act 1974 against the order of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal that they be struck off the Roll of Solicitors, and required to pay costs in the sum of pounds 98,000. Judges: Mrs Justice Lang DBE Citations: [2022] EWHC 2722 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Solicitors Act 1974 49 … Continue reading Hetherington and Another v Solicitors Regulation Authority Ltd: Admn 31 Oct 2022

Levy v Solicitors Regulation Authority: Admn 25 Mar 2011

The solicitor appealed against an order of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. Held: Cranston J summarised the legal principles that apply on an appeal under section 49 of the 1974 Act: ‘An appeal lies to this court from the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal as of right, pursuant to section 49 of the Solicitors Act 1974. By section … Continue reading Levy v Solicitors Regulation Authority: Admn 25 Mar 2011

Ali v Solicitors Regulation Authority Limited: Admn 11 Oct 2021

The solicitor appealed from disciplinary findings after she had sent extraordinary text messages. She complained hat the tribunal had wrongly refused to anonymise the activity and or hat it had wrongly anonymised the identity of the two law firms she had worked for. Held: Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Morris Citations: [2021] EWHC 2709 (Admin) … Continue reading Ali v Solicitors Regulation Authority Limited: Admn 11 Oct 2021

Regina v Solicitors’ Complaints Bureau, ex parte Singh and Chowdury: Admn 1995

The court considered the disciplinary duties of the Law Society: ‘The object of the provision is disciplinary. It is to assist in maintaining the standards to be achieved by solicitors and to provide sanctions in terms of costs and payment if the proper standards are not reached. It is the quality of the service . … Continue reading Regina v Solicitors’ Complaints Bureau, ex parte Singh and Chowdury: Admn 1995

Jideofo v The Law Society; Evans v The Solicitors Regulation Authority: 31 Jul 2007

(Master of the Rolls) Each applicant challenged decisions not to allow them to become student members of the Law Society. Held: The test for character and suitability was a necessarily high one; was one which was not concerned with punishment, but was rather a regulatory one concerned with the risk posed by an individual to … Continue reading Jideofo v The Law Society; Evans v The Solicitors Regulation Authority: 31 Jul 2007

Ahmed and Co, Biebuyck Solicitors, Dixon and Co and Others, Re; Law Society: ChD 14 Mar 2006

Judges: Lawrence Collins J Citations: [2006] EWHC 480 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Solicitors Act 1974, Law Society Compensation Fund Rules 1995 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Sritharan v Law Society CA 27-Apr-2005 The Law Society had intervened in the applicant’s legal practice as a solicitor, and his practising certificate had been automatically suspended. … Continue reading Ahmed and Co, Biebuyck Solicitors, Dixon and Co and Others, Re; Law Society: ChD 14 Mar 2006

Walker, Re Solicitor’s Act 1974, No 13 of 2001: CA 24 Oct 2001

Appeal from the decision of the Appeals Committee of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors imposing a condition on the Practising Certificate for the year 2000/2001, whereby he is required to practise in an approved partnership. Citations: [2001] EWCA Civ 1596 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Legal Professions Updated: 01 July 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Walker, Re Solicitor’s Act 1974, No 13 of 2001: CA 24 Oct 2001

David Wyld and Co, Solicitors v Dadourian and Another: QBD 20 Jun 2011

The claimants had obtained summary judgment on their claim for their fees for complex litigation. The defendants sought leave to appeal saying that the bill was not a final statute bill. Judges: Cox DBE J Citations: [2011] EWHC 1517 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Solicitors Act 1974 70 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Legal Professions Updated: 29 … Continue reading David Wyld and Co, Solicitors v Dadourian and Another: QBD 20 Jun 2011

Solicitor, Re Solicitor’s Act 1974 No 1 of 2001: CA 18 Jan 2001

Appeal by Mr Tyrone Anthony Walker against a decision by the Appeals Committee to uphold the decision of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors (‘OSS’) to approve, for the purposes of the condition imposed upon Mr Walker’s Practising Certificate Judges: Lord Phillips MR Citations: [2001] EWCA Civ 43 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales … Continue reading Solicitor, Re Solicitor’s Act 1974 No 1 of 2001: CA 18 Jan 2001

White v Office for the Supervision of Solicitors and others: Admn 17 Dec 2001

The claimant solicitor sought a judicial review, on the grounds of procedural unfairness, of the decisions of the respondent in upholding complaints against him. The procedure involved several stages, an investigatory stage, an adjudication, an appeal, and a further appeal to the Tribunal. The solicitor complained that the adjudicator had failed to follow up certain … Continue reading White v Office for the Supervision of Solicitors and others: Admn 17 Dec 2001

Hanley v J C and A Solicitors: QBD 28 Sep 2018

Whether the Court, under the inherent jurisdiction over its officers and/or s. 68 Solicitors Act 1974, has the power to order a solicitor to make and supply to his client (or former client) copies of documents which are the property of the solicitor, subject to payment of reasonable costs for the task. Held: The appeal … Continue reading Hanley v J C and A Solicitors: QBD 28 Sep 2018

Davies v Taylor (No 2): HL 2 Jan 1974

The plaintiff argued that no costs had been incurred by the successful defendant, as he was insured, and the insurance company was bound to pay his costs. Held: ‘In this case the solicitors, no doubt first instructed by the insurance company, were the solicitors on the record as the solicitors for the respondent. They acted … Continue reading Davies v Taylor (No 2): HL 2 Jan 1974

Cocking v Sandhurst (Stationers) Ltd: NIRC 1974

The Appellant employee had applied for leave to amend his first application by substituting the name of the parent company. The Tribunal held that the rules of procedure relating to time limits went to their jurisdiction and that the amended application would be allowed but would bear the date of the amendment and would accordingly … Continue reading Cocking v Sandhurst (Stationers) Ltd: NIRC 1974

In Re Solicitors, Ex Parte Peasegood: QBD 6 May 1993

A request to the court for the removal of a solicitor from the Roll was to be made via Counsel, and not by a litigant in person. Citations: Times 06-May-1993, Independent 06-May-1993 Statutes: Solicitors Act 1974 50 51 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Litigation Practice, Legal Professions Updated: 29 April 2022; Ref: scu.82191

Bulmer (HP) Ltd v Bollinger SA: CA 1974

The plaintiff complained that the respondent had described its drink ‘Babycham’ as a champagne perry, which it said was a misuse of the appellation ‘champagne’. Held: The court considered the effect of European legislation on the law of England and Wales. Lord Denning MR said: ‘But when we come to matters with a European element, … Continue reading Bulmer (HP) Ltd v Bollinger SA: CA 1974

Aaron v The Law Society (the Office of the Supervision of Solicitors): QBD 13 Oct 2003

The appellant challenged an order suspending him from practice as a solicitor for two years. He had previous findings of professional misconduct in failing to pay counsels’ fees. In the course of later disciplinary proceedings he was found to have misled the court as to the circumstances of a tribunal hearing when obtaining a stay. … Continue reading Aaron v The Law Society (the Office of the Supervision of Solicitors): QBD 13 Oct 2003

Solicitors Regulation Authority v Wingate and Another: Admn 21 Dec 2016

The SRA alleged that the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal had erred in not finding proven some of the serious allegations against the defendant solicitors proven. Held: Some of the appeals succeeded. Holman J [2016] EWHC 3455 (Admin) Bailii Solicitors Act 1974 England and Wales Cited by: See Also – Solicitors Regulation Authority v Wingate and Another … Continue reading Solicitors Regulation Authority v Wingate and Another: Admn 21 Dec 2016

BPE Solicitors and Another v Hughes-Holland (In Substitution for Gabriel): SC 22 Mar 2017

The court was asked what damages are recoverable in a case where (i) but for the negligence of a professional adviser his client would not have embarked on some course of action, but (ii) part or all of the loss which he suffered by doing so arose from risks which it was no part of … Continue reading BPE Solicitors and Another v Hughes-Holland (In Substitution for Gabriel): SC 22 Mar 2017

Davies v Taylor: HL 1974

The plaintiff’s husband was killed in a road accident caused by the defendant’s negligence. They were childless. She had deserted him five weeks before his death and thereafter, he learned about her adultery with a fellow employee. He tried to effect reconciliation with her but she refused. Shortly before his death, he had instructed his … Continue reading Davies v Taylor: HL 1974

Solicitors Regulation Authority v Dennison: Admn 22 Feb 2011

The Authority appealed against the sentence imposed on the respondent by the Soicitoirs Discipinary Tribunal. He had been found to have taken undisclosed referral fees in personal injury litigation giving rise to conflicts of interest and to have been dishonest in part. He had been fined. The SRA said this was unduly lenient. Held: The … Continue reading Solicitors Regulation Authority v Dennison: Admn 22 Feb 2011

Malik Law Chambers (Solicitors), Regina (on The Application of) v Legal Complaints Service (The Law Society): Admn 6 May 2010

The solicitor objected to the orders made on a complaint by a client. The complaint had been investigated and satisfied, and the file closed. The interested party had it re-opened and pointed to losses. The adjudicator found the solicitor in breach in having exercised a lien over papers including passports to secure payment of the … Continue reading Malik Law Chambers (Solicitors), Regina (on The Application of) v Legal Complaints Service (The Law Society): Admn 6 May 2010

Anton Piller v Manufacturing Processes Ltd: CA 8 Dec 1975

Civil Search Orders possible The plaintiff manufactured and supplied through the defendants, its English agents, computer components. It had reason to suspect that the defendant was disclosing its trade secrets to competitors. The court considered the effect of a civil search order (as opposed to a criminal search warrant), where the court had in effect … Continue reading Anton Piller v Manufacturing Processes Ltd: CA 8 Dec 1975

Hazelhurst and Others v Solicitors Regulation Authority: Admn 11 Mar 2011

The claimants appealed against disciplinary orders. A member of staff had stolen substantial sums from client account. They had admitted breaches of the Accounts and Practice rules, but personally made good all losses. They said that the Solicitors Discliplinary Tribunal had failed to give adequate reasons for its decisions. Held: The appeal succeeded: ‘the SDT … Continue reading Hazelhurst and Others v Solicitors Regulation Authority: Admn 11 Mar 2011

Wrotham Park Estate Ltd v Parkside Homes Ltd: ChD 1974

55 houses had been built by the defendant, knowingly in breach of a restrictive covenant, imposed for the benefit of an estate, and in the face of objections by the claimant. Held: The restrictive covenant not to develop other than in accordance with an agreed lay-out plan was valid. It remained, or had not been … Continue reading Wrotham Park Estate Ltd v Parkside Homes Ltd: ChD 1974

Acts

1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts

Giles v The Law Society: CA 20 Oct 1995

A notice of the Law Society’s suspicion of dishonesty founding an intervention in a solicitor’s practice, did not need to particularise the acts suspected. Sedley LJ said: ‘it is by common consent a matter for the court’s judgment [on an application under paragraph 6(4) of schedule 1] (I prefer not to use the word discretion … Continue reading Giles v The Law Society: CA 20 Oct 1995

The Law Society v Alec Leslie Wheeler and John Michael Stephens: Admn 21 Jul 2005

The solicitors had obtained pemission from the Society to employ a struck off solicitor. The Society came to allege that the actual employment differed and was not covered by the consent, The Society appealed a finding that the solicitors were not guilty of unbefitting conduct in their supervision of the struck off solicitor. Held: Nothing … Continue reading The Law Society v Alec Leslie Wheeler and John Michael Stephens: Admn 21 Jul 2005

The Law Society v Sephton and Co and others: CA 13 Dec 2004

The Society appealed dismissal for limitation of its claim against the defendant firm of accountants arising from alleged fraud in approval of a solicitor’s accounts. Held: The liability did not arise until the Society decided to make compensation to those who had been affected by the solicitor’s default. The claims in negligence were not time … Continue reading The Law Society v Sephton and Co and others: CA 13 Dec 2004

Singh v Law Society: QBD 5 Dec 2001

Several partners in a solicitors practice may have been at fault, but only one partner had been brought before the tribunal. He appealed against an order making him solely responsible for the costs. Held: There was nothing necessarily wrong with such an order. Judges: Lord Justice Kennedy, Mrs Justice Hallet and Mr Justice Stanley Burnton … Continue reading Singh v Law Society: QBD 5 Dec 2001

Penningtons (a Firm) v Brown: CA 30 Apr 1998

The claim concerned the plaintiffs claim for costs having represented the defendant successfully. They delivered a bill which detailed disbursements, and gave a 14 line narrative, but no other detail. The defendant requested more detail, being unaware as to the consequences as to a gross sum or bill containing detailed items. Was his request a … Continue reading Penningtons (a Firm) v Brown: CA 30 Apr 1998

General of Berne Insurance Company v Jardine Reinsurance Management Limited: CA 12 Feb 1998

Where only part of action for which costs are awarded, is covered by a contentious business agreement, and the amount recoverable is limited, that part is severable from the balance. A paying party cannot be ordered to pay a receiving party more by way of costs than the receiving party is himself liable to pay … Continue reading General of Berne Insurance Company v Jardine Reinsurance Management Limited: CA 12 Feb 1998

Elias v Wallace Llp: SCCO 12 Oct 2022

Judges: Senior Costs Judge Gordon-Saker Citations: [2022] EWHC 2574 (SCCO) Links: Bailii Statutes: Solicitors Act 1974 68 69 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 07 November 2022; Ref: scu.682261

Regina v Law Society ex parte Mortgage Express Limited; Regina v Law Society ex parte Alliance and Leicester Building Society: CA 17 Dec 1996

The court considered the duties of the respondent in administering the Compensation Fund: ‘It seems clear from the current legislation that the history of the fund and the mode of operating it that the solicitors’ profession was never intended or required to assume an open ended liability to meet any unsatisfied loss sustained by any … Continue reading Regina v Law Society ex parte Mortgage Express Limited; Regina v Law Society ex parte Alliance and Leicester Building Society: CA 17 Dec 1996

Regina v Law Society ex parte Shuttari: CA 25 Nov 1996

The client complained that he should have been advised to apply for legal aid and otherwise. The solicitor now appealed a disciplinary finding against her. Held: The court considered the purpose of Schedule 1A of the 1974 Act: ‘it is arguable that the primary purpose is to redress shoddy service and to provide a rough … Continue reading Regina v Law Society ex parte Shuttari: CA 25 Nov 1996