From the High Court’s significant ruling on legal professional privilege in Carter-Ruck v SRA to the regulator’s decision to pause its proposed COLP and COFA separation rules, firms are being asked to consider how they balance their regulatory obligations with effective management and oversight.
Elsewhere, developments concerning artificial intelligence, solicitor competence and financial sanctions reinforce the importance of robust supervision, clear accountability and properly implemented controls.
We also examine the latest Legal Ombudsman figures, which reveal a substantial increase in complaints and raise important questions about how firms manage client dissatisfaction.
In this edition, we explore six developments and their practical implications for COLPs, COFAs, managing partners and compliance teams.
This month's Compliance Lifeline contributors
Legal Ombudsman complaints rise by 37%: is your law firm’s complaints handling procedure fit for purpose?
Read More »
A practical guide to OFSI sanctions enforcement for law firms: client money, third-party payments and legal fees
Read More »
Looking ahead...
A common theme runs through this month’s developments: regulatory compliance depends not simply on having policies and procedures in place, but on being able to demonstrate that they work effectively.
Whether reviewing supervision arrangements, responding to regulatory investigations, managing financial sanctions risks or addressing client complaints, firms need clear responsibilities, appropriate oversight and reliable evidence of the decisions they make.
At Enderley Consulting, we work with law firms to strengthen their compliance arrangements, interpret regulatory developments and address the practical challenges facing COLPs, COFAs and senior management.
If any of the issues covered in this newsletter raise questions about your firm’s current arrangements, please get in touch. We would be pleased to discuss how we can help.