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23 April 2009
Issue: 7366 / Categories: Opinion , In-House , Profession
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All change...again!

Tina Campbell welcomes the SRA’s U-turn on conflicts & confidentiality

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced its intention to make wide ranging amendments to the rules on conflicts and confidentiality. The current process of consultation with the profession was launched several months ago, when the ink was barely dry on the last set of “wide ranging” changes (now in rrs 3 and 4 of the Solicitors Code of Conduct 2007). The 2007 amendments suffered a tortuous journey from the widespread calls for change in 2000, to government approval in 2006. Why then, so soon, are further amendments required?

Blame

 

Some practitioners may be asking whether the Law Society is to blame for the failure to get it right last time. Surely, it must be their fault that the 2007 changes have not proved sufficient? Others may be wondering whether after so much consultation and redrafting it is actually possible to produce a single set of rules applicable to the wide spectrum of law firms in this country.

 

So, what went wrong with

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association

NLJ Career Profile: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association

From first-generation student to trailblazing president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, John McElroy of Fieldfisher reflects on resilience, identity and the power of bringing your whole self to the law

Clarke Willmott—Elaine Field

Clarke Willmott—Elaine Field

Planning and environment team expands with partner hire in Manchester

Birketts—Barbara Hamilton-Bruce

Birketts—Barbara Hamilton-Bruce

Firm appoints chief operating officer to strengthen leadership team

NEWS
A landmark Supreme Court ruling has underscored the sweeping reach of UK sanctions. In NLJ this week, Brónagh Adams and Harriet Campbell of Penningtons Manches Cooper say the regime is a ‘blunt instrument’ requiring only a factual, not causal, link to restricted goods
Fraud claims are surging, with England and Wales increasingly the forum of choice for global disputes. Writing in NLJ this week, Jon Felce of Cooke, Young & Keidan reports claims have risen sharply, with fraud now a major share of litigation and costing billions worldwide
Litigators digesting Mazur are being urged to tighten oversight and compliance. In his latest 'Insider' column for NLJ this week, Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School provides a cut out and keep guide to the ruling’s core test: whether an unauthorised individual is ‘in truth acting on behalf of the authorised individual’
Conflicting county court rulings have left landlords uncertain over whether they can force entry after tenants refuse access. In this week's NLJ, Edward Blakeney and Ashpen Rajah of Falcon Chambers outline a split: some judges permit it under CPR 70.2A, others insist only Parliament can authorise such powers
A wave of scandals has reignited debate over misconduct in public office, criticised as unclear and inconsistently applied. Writing in NLJ this week, Alice Lepeuple of WilmerHale says the offence’s ‘vagueness, overbreadth & inconsistent deployment’ have undermined confidence
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