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Bypassing the badge?

30 October 2019
Issue: 7862 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Regulatory , Technology , Data protection
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A solicitor is refusing to display the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) digital badge on the grounds it is an ‘illegal gimmick’ and fails to comply with data protection laws. 

All firms are required to display the badge on their website by 25 November, on pain of disciplinary action. Solicitor George Gardiner, of Gardiner & Co, however, has set out on his website a list of reasons why he’s not going to comply.

He disputes the SRA’s claim that the badge will ‘reduce fraud and enhance client protection’ and warns there is a risk the badge could be ‘subverted and misapplied’.

An SRA spokesperson said: ‘We do not have access, record or store any additional data such as IP addresses or page navigation behaviour. We do not collect data that would identify an individual.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Sports, education and charities practice welcomes senior associate

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Partner and head of commercial litigation joins in Chelmsford

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Firm strengthens Glasgow corporate practice with partner hire

NEWS
One in five in-house lawyers suffer ‘high’ or ‘severe’ work-related stress, according to a report by global legal body, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
The Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO’s) plea for a budget increase has been rejected by the Law Society and accepted only ‘with reluctance’ by conveyancers
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
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