Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill

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Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill

In June 2022, the proposed increase in the general fining powers of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (“SRA”) were approved by the Ministry of Justice. The SRA now has the power to fine traditional law firms up to £25,000.

The right to appeal the fines issued by the SRA to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal remains.

However, the government is proposing to go further and remove the £25,000 limit on fines that the SRA can pose in cases involving economic crime. The Legal Services Act 2007 is being amended through the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, to require our sectors regulators to promote the detection and prevention of economic crime. The proposed changes would provide the SRA with the power to set substantial fines especially for the larger law firms in order to improve deterrence and enforcement.

The Law Society has expressed concerns with the changes and are urging the government to carefully consider the proportionality of the proposed increase in regulatory powers of the SRA.

The Bar Council has also said that the proposed changes “may be incompatible with barristers’ duties and risk confusing the role of lawyers.”

The SPG Executive Committee would be interested to receive SP members comments on this. Please email me at joanna@spg.uk.com.

Latif Solicitors featuring on Northern Justice

When announcing the programme Northern Justice, in a press release, the BBC said:

“Northern Justice will reveal what happens when ordinary people facing all sorts of extraordinary times in their lives turn to local lawyers in their hour of need.”

Our Principal Solicitor Liaquat Latif will feature in 3 of the ten episodes on BBC1 highlighting the life-changing work the firm does each day.

Liaquat Latif is one of the main solicitors featured in this series. He features heavily in the BBC promotional material linked to this series including the promotional shot attached to this release.

The first episode in the series was aired at 10am on Tuesday 20th September 2022 and featured Immigration solicitor Liaquat Latif representing Sam Humble in her fight to be stopped being removed to Jamaica and separated from her husband Chris and daughter both who are British Nationals.

Liaquat features again in episode 8 due to be shown on Thursday 29th September 2022. Liaquat represents Trent who has moved from Australia to the U.K to be with his young son. Trent is threatened with immediate removal by the Home Office for not having the correct visa. Liaquat fights to keep Trent and his son together in the U.K.

Liaquat features again for the third time in the series in episode 9 to be shown on Friday 30th September 2022. In this episode Liaquat represents Bharwinder and his Indian wife Rajwinder who are in crisis after a cancer diagnosis may have put their spousal visa process in jeopardy.

The episodes will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Latif Solicitors has been helping clients with Immigration issues for over 20 years. The client’s featured in the 3 episodes are typical examples

of the work that we carry out. In particular trying to keep families together under the Family life provision of the Human Rights Act.

We are privileged to carry out the work that we do which is highly appreciated in the feedback that we receive from clients which is typically seen in the many google and other reviews that we receive.

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