The London branch of a prominent US law firm is set to appear before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) over allegations concerning significant breaches in its anti-money laundering (AML) protocols.The charges, which have been described as ‘historic’ by the firm, highlight apparent failures in the firm’s compliance with the 2017 Money Laundering Regulations. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has decided to move forward with proceedings, a decision that has disappointed the firm, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, who asserts these allegations refer to past occurrences.Unlike other cases where fines were issued by the SRA without tribunal involvement, this step suggests the…
Author: Dave Antrobus
In a recent ruling by an employment tribunal in Manchester, a legal business was found not to have engaged in disability discrimination when it retracted a job offer to a solicitor.The case involved Craig Oldale, a specialist employment lawyer diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder in 2017. Mr Oldale’s job offer was withdrawn by Peach Law, a firm based in Cheadle, after concerns were raised regarding his honesty during the recruitment process.Employment Judge Phil Allen presided over the tribunal, which focused on the actions of Peach Law’s managing director, referred to by multiple names including Ms DL Armitage. The central issue…
A law student from Reading University, identified as KT, has achieved a partial victory in a judicial review concerning his expulsion. The review examined the actions taken by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA), which is tasked with overseeing student complaints against universities.KT’s academic journey began in 2016 but was disrupted in 2019 when the university excluded him on ‘fitness to study’ grounds, following personal challenges. Despite these setbacks, KT successfully contested this decision and was allowed to resume his studies, completing his first two years and parts of his final year.In November 2022, KT’s situation escalated when he…
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The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) collaborates with Crisis to introduce a recycling trial in London, aimed at reducing clothing waste.The trial takes place at Crisis’s Peckham and Elephant & Castle stores, running until the end of September.This initiative educates customers about recycling by distinguishing between rewearable and non-rewearable clothing.The project is a part of the Autosort for Circular Textiles Demonstrator (ACT UK), which focuses on recycling unsaleable clothing.Paula Floyd of Crisis highlights the environmental impact of clothing waste, stressing the importance of innovative recycling solutions.The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has partnered with the homelessness charity, Crisis,…
A recent survey highlights a significant shift in office space trends in the UK.Flexible and coworking spaces top the list for office conversions at 11%.Hospitality, retail, and residential spaces follow closely in popularity.A substantial 23% of landlords have made such conversions in the past two years.Motivations include market trends, competition, and enhancing property value.The landscape of office spaces in the UK is undergoing a notable transformation. According to a recent survey commissioned by a workspace provider, 11% of traditional offices have been converted into flexible or coworking spaces. This trend is more popular than conversions into hospitality, retail, or residential…
Boohoo is addressing quality issues by withholding payments from certain suppliers, following a significant increase in faulty goods.A small group of approximately 10 suppliers, out of Boohoo’s 500 global partners, are involved in this payment dispute due to poor product standards.A spokesperson for Boohoo stated that the company is collaborating with these suppliers to resolve the quality concerns and prevent recurrence.The challenges arise amidst a backdrop of declining revenue, with Boohoo experiencing a 17% year-on-year drop as of February 2024.CEO John Lyttle expresses ongoing commitment to quality and progress despite facing inflation and decreased consumer demand.Boohoo is actively addressing issues…
In a noteworthy call for change within the legal profession, Dr. Arun Midha suggests a proactive approach to combat discrimination among barristers.Dr. Midha, with an extensive background in regulation and standards, emphasised the need for barristers to actively promote anti-discriminatory attitudes, rather than simply avoiding being ‘woke’. His comments, published in the Bar Council’s Counsel magazine, highlight the influential role barristers play in society and their responsibility to set an example by fostering diversity, equality, and inclusion.The discussion arises in the context of the Bar Council’s independent review on bullying and harassment, spearheaded by Harriet Harman KC, and an upcoming…
The civil courts face significant challenges with their case management systems, particularly in handling omnibus claim forms that consolidate multiple claims into a single document.According to Mr Justice Garnham, the civil courts’ case management systems are not just limited by the convenience and capacities of the legal parties involved but also by the courts themselves. Processing issues have turned the omnibus claim form for non-freezing cold injuries (NFCI) cases against the Ministry of Defence into a repository for claims that are later transferred to a new file once they become active.Justice Garnham highlighted the complexity that arises when a stage…
Jude Bellingham, England’s young football talent, has been named a ‘Friend of the House’ by Louis Vuitton, reflecting a unique blend of style and sports.Bellingham’s association with Louis Vuitton highlights his fashion sense, making him a standout among athletes.The partnership began when Bellingham attended Pharrell Williams’ debut show for Louis Vuitton in Paris.Louis Vuitton praises Bellingham for his distinctive style and alignment with their aesthetic values.Bellingham’s impressive achievements in football, including his role in Real Madrid’s successes, align with Louis Vuitton’s values.Jude Bellingham, at just 21 years old, has been officially announced as a ‘Friend of the House’ for Louis…