Regulatory

15.06.23

The importance of engaging meaningfully and constructively in Fitness to Practise Proceedings

The recent case of Golden v Nursing and Midwifery Council [2023] EWHC 619 (Admin) highlights the need for regulated practitioners to engage with their regulator in a constructive way and the risks they face should they fail to do so. The facts Mr Golden, a midwife registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), was…

24.01.23

Barrister who leaked draft Supreme Court judgment disbarred

Timothy Crosland, an unregistered barrister and director of environmental group Plan B, has been disbarred for deliberately flouting a Supreme Court embargo on a draft judgment. In 2020, the Supreme Court heard an appeal in the case of R (Friends of the Earth Ltd and others) v Heathrow Airport Limited [2020] UKSC 53, which concerned…

3.11.22

Brett Wilson LLP ranked in The Times list of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales

Brett Wilson LLP has been listed in the Times Best Law Firms directory.  The directory lists the top 250 law firms in England and Wales (out of some 10,000 firms).  The firm is commended in the technology, media and telecoms category for its defamation and reputation management work. The firm’s entry can be found here….

20.10.22

Brett Wilson LLP and its lawyers recommended in Chambers and Partners 2023 directory

Brett Wilson LLP’s media and communications law and criminal defence departments have again been recommended by the prestigious Chambers and Partners directory as leading departments in their field. In the firm’s media and communications law department, partners Iain Wilson (noted for ‘his exhaustive knowledge and valuable insight’), Max Campbell (‘first-class acumen and frighteningly accurate ability to…

6.10.22

Bar Standards Board issues interim guidance on social media use

The Bar Standards Board (‘BSB’) has issued interim guidance on the use of social media by barristers pending consultation. The guidance is being issued on the basis that the use of social media is inherently public as opposed to private and hence its use is likely to reflect on the reputation of the profession (and…

30.09.22

Brett Wilson LLP’s departments and lawyers recognised by Legal 500

Brett Wilson LLP has again been recommended in three categories in the prestigious Legal 500 directory of leading law firms:- Reputation Management Professional Discipline Crime The firm is praised for its ‘…client-orientated approach, vigorous representation of its clients interests’ and delivery of results.  Its reputation management practice is described as ‘exceptional in every regard’. Media and…

2.09.22

SRA sexual misconduct guidance

On 1 September 2022, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Issued guidance about sexual behaviour and the extent to which it may seek to regulate the private lives of professionals. The guidance has been published on the back of a number of high-profile cases involving alleged sexual misconduct and an increasing number of reports which it…

The SRA, sexual misconduct cases and the new financial penalty regime

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) recently made a statement about the applicability of its new financial sanctions regime to allegations of sexual misconduct. What has been said? That cases involving sexual misconduct, discrimination or harassment, financial penalties will only be considered in ‘exceptional circumstances’. What has changed? The short answer is very little. On 20…

17.05.22

High Court upholds disbarment of barrister who sought to conceal dishonesty conviction

In Bibi v Bar Standards Board [2022] EWHC 921 the High Court dismissed the appeal of Sky Bibi, a barrister who had been disbarred by the Bar Disciplinary Tribunal.  Ms Bibi had faced allegations of behaving in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence in the profession and acting in a…

16.03.22

An introduction to financial sanctions involving Russia

The war in Ukraine, and latterly the news about Roman Abramovich and Chelsea Football Club, have brought the issue of the UK financial sanctions regime involving Russian nationals into sharp focus. But what is the regime and how does it operate on those who have business links to those who are or may be sanctioned?…