Bar watchdog issues public apology to silk over Djibouti allegations

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Bar watchdog issues public apology to silk over Djibouti allegations

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today (19 September) issued a highly unusual apology to Serle Court’s Khawar Qureshi QC after the senior barrister was subjected to a year-long investigation over unfounded misconduct allegations.

The matter turned on Qureshi’s representation of East African republic Djibouti in a high-profile civil fraud case between the state and the businessman Abdourahman Boreh. In April 2015 another barrister involved in the proceedings made three allegations that the silk had misled High Court judge Justice Flaux.

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Guest post: You’re masterful, Mr President: Standards of proof debate takes odd turn

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Guest post: You’re masterful, Mr President: Standards of proof debate takes odd turn

There are some interesting comments highlighted in a story on Legal Futures this month  by the president of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) regarding a BSB consultation.

‘The SDT will remain the master of its own destiny in this debate. Its membership will do what it believes to be right in a rational, informed, evidence-based manner. Continue reading “Guest post: You’re masterful, Mr President: Standards of proof debate takes odd turn”

Civil court service fees generate £102m surplus for government as job cuts continue

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The civil courts generated a £100m surplus in their most recent year according to new figures that are bound to hike concerns over the use of civil courts to subsidise the justice system.

Over the last year, HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) has generated fee income of nearly £800m, £186m from family justice fees and more than £602m from civil justice fees, surpassing its own spend by £102m, while cuts to the service continue. Continue reading “Civil court service fees generate £102m surplus for government as job cuts continue”

Clifford Chance turns to Clydes as SRA launches probe into firm on Excalibur litigation

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Clifford Chance turns to Clydes as SRA launches probe into firm on Excalibur litigation

Clifford Chance (CC) has instructed lawyers at Clyde & Co to represent it in an investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), reportedly involving the firm’s part in the Excalibur professional negligence case, resulting from a claim in which an appeal judge criticised CC for an ‘acute’ conflict of interest.

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Fieldfisher advises SRA on outsourcing contract for delivering new super-exam

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Fieldfisher advises SRA on outsourcing contract for delivering new super-exam

Fieldfisher is advising the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) on the contractual agreements for the provider which will eventually assist the SRA in delivering the new Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE), also known as ‘the super-exam.’

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‘A bit like Brexit’: SRA super-exam draws strong reaction but is it knee-jerk resistance to change?

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‘A bit like Brexit’: SRA super-exam draws strong reaction but is it knee-jerk resistance to change?

Kathryn McCann assesses the regulator’s controversial new route to qualification

In April, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) announced that its planned Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), also known as ‘the super-exam’, would be in place by 2020 following two formal consultations. This is despite garnering considerable, but not unexpected, criticism from the profession and education providers alike.

Continue reading “‘A bit like Brexit’: SRA super-exam draws strong reaction but is it knee-jerk resistance to change?”