Plans to regularly check architects’ competence have been announced by the government. The proposals, set out in a consultation announced by Housing Minister Christopher Pincher, will allow the Architects Registration Board (ARB) to set statutory standards of competence for architects…read more
Government proposes compulsory PI insurance for tax advisers. Published January 2021
The government is to consult on making professional indemnity insurance (PII) compulsory for tax advisers. It argues that this will raise standards in the tax advice market, provide recourse and protect consumers. The move comes in response to the government’s…read more
FRC ‘operational separation’ of audit practices. Published December 2020
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) ordered the ‘Big Four’ audit firms to implement ‘operational separation’ of their audit practices by June 2024. The move followed high profile audit failures at Carillion, BHS, Patisserie Valerie and Thomas Cook. PwC, Deloitte, EY…read more
The Supreme Court clarifies English law on ‘apparent bias’ in arbitrations. Published January 2021
In a long-awaited judgement arising from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster, the Supreme Court has confirmed that arbitrators may accept multiple appointments on related matters. However in this significant ruling it has been decided that an arbitrator has a…read more
HMCTS moving forward with digital courts data collection. Published December 2020
HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) is moving forward with data collection recommendations made by researchers, despite claims that progress is ‘disappointingly slow’. In a recently released paper, HMCTS has set out the progress in the last 12 months against…read more
Law firm fined for ‘acting as a bank’. Published December 2020.
An international law firm has been fined £21,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for holding millions of pounds in its client account for cases in which it was not involved. Milberg is an affiliate of US class action practice…read more
Insurers must be allowed to cancel PII policies for non-payment says IUA. Published November 2020
The International Underwriting Association (IUA) has warned the legal profession that professional indemnity insurance may become unsustainable if insurers are not allowed to cancel policies for the non-payment of premiums. In an unprecedented open letter to the profession, the IUA…read more
