Blog Posts
Robert Forman’s book review of The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal published
December 6, 2022Robert Forman’s book review of The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (N West & S Heley), has been published by The Law Society here and a longer version by the Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers here : ARDL Bulletin 2022 Autumn Edition
Murdochs maintains its Chambers & Partners ranking as London’s leading specialist solicitors’ professional discipline firm
December 6, 2022Our three-strong team has, for the 2023 edition, maintained its Chambers & Partners ranking as London’s leading specialist solicitors’ professional discipline firm. Individually Andrew Blatt is ranked in Band 2, Robert Forman in Band 3, and Nick Trevette in Band 5. Here’s what Chambers & Partners said : Murdochs Solicitors has a niche team specialising in defence … Read More
Murdochs Professional Discipline Team recognised in Legal 500 UK 2023
September 29, 2022Murdochs Solicitors maintained its top ranking as a specialist firm of professional discipline solicitors in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 UK, released 28 September 2022. Legal 500 had the following to say about us :‘Handling ‘cases with great judgement and effectiveness‘, Murdochs Solicitors focuses almost exclusively on defending solicitors and other legal professionals facing regulatory … Read More
Robert Forman writes for The Law Society’s Legal Compliance bulletin – 12 July 2022
July 14, 2022Robert Forman’s article, ‘A fine thing’ appears in the 12 July 2022 edition of the Law Society’s Legal Compliance bulletin. Robert comments on the SRA’s new fining powers. The article, written in advance of The Lord Chancellor’s decision, comments on the consequences of the increased fining powers. The article available here https://communities.lawsociety.org.uk/july-2022/a-fine-thing/6002362.article requires a subscription … Read More
Robert Forman speaks at specialist partnership and employment firm Fox & Partners’ latest Breakfast Briefing on ‘Conducting internal investigations in law firms’
June 15, 2022Robert Forman was delighted to join Catriona Watt, Caroline Field and Eleanor Diamond at specialist partnership and employment firm Fox & Partners’ latest Breakfast Briefing on ‘Conducting internal investigations in law firms’. The webinar recording of 14th June 2022 is now available below for those who missed the live session and for those who would like to watch it … Read More
Robert Forman’s blog today in Legal Futures on the SRA’s proposed increase in fining powers
April 12, 2022Robert Forman’s blog on the SRA‘s proposed increase in fining powers appears today in Legal Futures and can be read here https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/blog/why-raising-the-sras-fining-powers-is-good-for-solicitors
The Solicitor’s Handbook 2022 co-authored by Robert Forman
December 6, 2021The Solicitor’s Handbook 2022, co-authored by Robert Forman in our professional discipline team, is now on sale at The Law Society bookshop here as well as other leading retail stores. The Solicitor’s Handbook is a comprehensive and user-friendly guide to the regulations governing the conduct of solicitors. The 2022 edition has been updated to take … Read More
Murdochs maintains Chambers & Partners’ ranking as London’s leading specialist solicitors’ professional discipline firm
November 23, 2021Our three-strong team has, for the 2022 edition, maintained its Chambers & Partners ranking as London’s leading specialist solicitors’ professional discipline firm. Here’s what Chambers & Partners said : What the team is known for Niche team specialising in defence of solicitors’ professional discipline proceedings. Particular expertise in SDT matters, SRA forensic investigations and voluntary … Read More
Murdochs maintains its Legal 500 ranking as London’s leading specialist solicitors’ professional discipline firm
October 4, 2021Our three-strong team has, for the 2022 edition, maintained its Legal 500 ranking as London’s leading specialist solicitors’ professional discipline firm. Here’s what Legal 500 said : The ‘small, highly effective team‘ at Murdochs Solicitors has longstanding experience in focusing almost exclusively on defending solicitors and other legal professionals facing regulatory investigations and disciplinary proceedings. … Read More
The SRA – Your ill-health, the end of your career – The SRA’s wellbeing imperative
April 30, 2021The problem The SRA warns the profession from taking a ‘tick-box approach’ to AML compliance, and yet when it comes to its obligation to safeguard the mental health of solicitors is it guilty of doing just that? The SRA is statutorily obliged to encourage an independent, strong, diverse and effective legal profession[1] and, arguably, to … Read More
SRA investigations specialist Robert Forman – webinar for The Law Society on Dubious investment schemes – Avoiding entity and individual regulatory liability
February 17, 2020SRA investigations specialist Robert Forman co-hosts webinar for The Law Society on Dubious investment schemes – Avoiding entity and individual regulatory liability – available for purchase here https://bit.ly/38dbCai – Speakers review score 4.5/5
Webinar – Practising as and dealing with unregulated businesses and freelance solicitors – co-hosted for The Law Society by SRA specialist Robert Forman
February 17, 2020SRA specialist, Robert Forman co-hosted a webinar for The Law Society on 13th February 2020 on ‘Practising as and dealing with unregulated businesses and freelance solicitors’. The Law Society maintains webinars for purchase for up to a year following presentation. The webinar is available for purchase here.
Webinar – 13 February 2020 – Practising as and dealing with unregulated businesses and freelance solicitors
January 20, 2020Robert Forman will be co-hosting a webinar for The Law Society on 13th February 2020 on ‘Practising as and dealing with unregulated businesses and freelance solicitors’. For further details and to book a place, please follow this link http://bit.ly/unreg_freelance
Webinar: Dubious investment schemes – Avoiding entity and individual regulatory liability
December 20, 2019Robert Forman will be co-hosting a Webinar for The Law Society on 14th January 2020 on Dubious investment schemes – Avoiding entity and individual regulatory liability. For further details and to book a place, please follow this link http://bit.ly/dubiousinvest
Robert Forman’s Webinar for The Law Society on Changes to the rules on reporting concerns to the SRA
October 1, 2019This webinar provides individuals, managers, COLPs and COFAs with advice on the new reporting rules which will be introduced in November 2019, including elements of the SRA’s new Enforcement Strategy and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal’s (SDT) new procedural rules including the change to the standard of proof in disciplinary proceedings. Robert Forman co-hosted the Webinar … Read More
The Solicitor’s Handbook 2019 – Robert Forman of Murdochs Professional Discipline Solicitors
October 1, 2019Robert Forman is a co-author of The Solicitor’s Handbook 2019, published on 30 September 2019 by The Law Society. The book is a comprehensive and user-friendly guide to solicitors’ regulation. It covers the changes to the new SRA standards and regulations which come into force on 25 November 2019 in addition to recent statutory changes … Read More
Murdochs maintains Legal 500 UK recognition as a leading firm in Professional Discipline
September 27, 2019Legal 500 2020 said the following about us – Murdochs Solicitors ‘has excellent knowledge of the law and practice of SRA interventions into solicitors’. The practice has longstanding experience defending solicitors and other legal professionals that face regulatory investigations and disciplinary proceedings. The team comprises practice head and senior partner Andrew Blatt – who specialises … Read More
Robert Forman will be co-hosting an @TheLawSociety live webinar 30th September 2019 – Reporting concerns: the SRA enforcement strategy and the new SDT rules
June 27, 2019Robert Forman will be co-hosting an @TheLawSociety live webinar 30th September 2019 – Changes to the rules on reporting concerns: the SRA enforcement strategy and the new SDT rules http://bit.ly/2RB7F8v
Robert Forman comments in Legal Futures on the decision in SRA v James, MacGregor & Naylor
November 14, 2018Robert Forman, instructed by Mrs. MacGregor & Mr. Naylor in the conjoined appeals before LJ Flaux, and advocate at the original SDT hearings, responds this morning to Legal Futures’ request for comment. https://bit.ly/2T8J0Zn
Continued Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 recognition
November 12, 2018Murdochs’ award winning professional discipline team comprising Andrew Blatt, Robert Forman & Nick Trevette continue to be recognised as leaders in their fields by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 in the 2019 rankings. Chambers reports : ‘Niche team specialising in defence of solicitors’ professional discipline proceedings. Particular expertise in SDT matters, SRA forensic investigations … Read More
The importance of instructing an SRA and SDT specialist
June 1, 2018Solicitors investigated or prosecuted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority may be tempted to self-represent or rely on that trusted colleague for pro-bono representation, but as their career and reputation are at stake this is likely to be a false economy. SDT specialist A Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal specialist understands the nuances of professional discipline, a unique … Read More
Handling GDPR Subject Access Requests
May 31, 2018How should solicitors handle a GDPR Subject Access Request? Our Lawyers Defence Group article helps explain https://bit.ly/2sl6myP If you would like us to help, please contact robert.forman@murdochslaw.co.uk or andrew.blatt@murdochslaw.co.uk
Murdochs Solicitors successfully resists SRA Appeal to the Court of Appeal
April 20, 2018SRA Appeal : On 17th March 2018, the Court of Appeal dismissed the SRA’s application to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal against the decision of Lord Justice Simon and Mrs Justice McGowan in SRA v Kadurugamuwa [2017] EWHC 2245 (Admin). Despite Lord Justice Simon expressing in the Administrative Court that the SRA’s … Read More
Murdochs maintains Chambers UK 2018 ranking as a Leading Firm in Professional Discipline
November 3, 2017In yesterday’s release, Murdochs were ranked in Band 3 of 5 in Chambers UK wide Professional Discipline sector, placing the firm as the equal highest ranked specialist solicitors professional discipline firm in the UK. Murdochs’ three-strong team are also well placed in the individual rankings, Andrew Blatt ranked in Band 2, and Robert Forman, as … Read More
Murdochs Solicitors maintains Legal 500 ranking as a leading firm in Professional Discipline
October 12, 2017Legal 500’s 2017 publication says the following about us : Murdochs Solicitors provides ‘reliable, detailed, and robust advice’ in defending solicitors and other legal professionals facing investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and proceedings before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The practice’s experience extends to acting in voluntary practice closures, appeals to the Administrative Court, and compliance … Read More
Law Society Gazette reports SDT case in which Robert Forman appears
July 14, 2017Law Society Gazette reports SDT case in which Robert Forman, an SDT specialist, appears in defence of a practitioner alleged to have engaged in a serious breach of the SRA Accounts Rules 2011 http://bit.ly/2ur7K5S
SRA v Kadurugamuwa [2017] EWHC 2245 (Admin) : SRA appeal dismissed by the Administrative Court
July 12, 2017Robert Forman in our professional discipline team acted for the Respondent solicitor in this appeal heard before Lord Justice Simon and Mrs Justice McGowan in the Administrative Court yesterday, 11th July 2017. The SRA’s appeal against the order of the SDT was successfully resisted. The court dismissed the SRA’s appeal, and refused the regulator permission … Read More
Murdochs wins award for Most Oustanding Professional Discipline Law Firm
January 11, 2017Murdochs’ three-strong professional discipline & regulation team, Andrew Blatt, Robert Forman and Nick Trevette have been recognised in the Acquisition International Excellence Awards 2016, winning the award, ‘Most Outstanding Professional Discipline Law Firm’. Murdochs’ team specialises in disciplinary and regulatory issues faced by solicitors, its core work involving, the representation of solicitors in Solicitors Regulation Authority investigations … Read More
Murdochs ranked in Chambers UK 2017 for Professional Discipline
November 3, 2016Murdochs’ three-strong Professional Discipline team has maintained its ranking in Chambers & Partners UK 2017. This is what Chambers has to say about us : What the team is known for Niche team specialising in solicitors’ professional discipline, acting exclusively in the defence of solicitors. Particular expertise in SDT proceedings, SRA forensic investigations and voluntary practice … Read More
SRA Warning to the Profession – Disciplinary risk to solicitors acting in high-yield investment schemes
September 21, 2016The SRA has today issued a repeat warning about solicitors acting in high-yield investment schemes. http://www.sra.org.uk/sra/news/press/investment-schemes-warning-notice-2016.page?src=rss That the SRA have today felt it necessary to repeat a warning given in 2013 is indicative that law firms’ involvement in such schemes remains problematic, and that more than just a handful of firms are involved. Of course not … Read More
Robert Forman’s latest case before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in today’s Law Society Gazette
August 8, 2016Robert Forman, a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal specialist, successfully defended a solicitor against a fraud charge at the SDT. As reported in the Law Society Gazette http://bit.ly/2behlAs the SRA were also denied c.£46,000 of costs. Should you require any assistance about an SDT or SRA Investigation, then please feel free to contact robert.forman@murdochslaw.co.uk
Murdochs wins Solicitors’ Discipline & Regulation award in Global Awards 2016
May 20, 2016Murdochs have been announced as winners of the Solicitors’ Discipline & Regulation award in Corporate LiveWire’s Global Awards 2016. Murdochs’ three-strong professional discipline & regulation team, Andrew Blatt, Robert Forman and Nick Trevette specialise in disciplinary and regulatory issues faced by solicitors, its core work involving, the representation of solicitors in Solicitors Regulation Authority investigations … Read More
Murdochs Solicitors winners of ‘UK – PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE & REGULATION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR’
April 13, 2016Murdochs’ three-strong professional discipline & regulation team, Andrew Blatt, Robert Forman and Nick Trevette have been recognised in the ACQ5 Law Awards 2016, winning the award, ‘UK – Professional Discipline & Regulation Law Firm of the Year’. Murdochs’ team specialises in disciplinary and regulatory issues faced by solicitors, its core work involving, the representation of solicitors … Read More
Murdochs named as ‘Best Professional Discipline Law Firm – UK’ in 2016 Dispute Resolution Awards
March 30, 2016We are pleased to announce that Murdochs Solicitors has been named as ‘Best Professional Discipline Law Firm – UK’ in the Acquisition International Dispute Resolution Awards 2016. This latest award reflect the firm’s expertise and status as one of the UK’s leading firms in the field of solicitors professional regulation and discipline. if you have a … Read More
Murdochs Solicitors nominated for an award in the 2016 Dispute Resolution Awards
January 12, 2016We are pleased to announce that Murdochs Solicitors have been nominated for an award in Acquisition International’s 2016 Dispute Resolution Awards. To discuss your dispute resolution need please contact Robert Forman on 020 8852 3412.
Murdochs ranked as leading firm in Professional Discipline by Chambers UK 2016
October 30, 2015We are pleased to announce that our three-strong Solicitors Professional Discipline team are recognised in Chambers UK 2016’s latest rankings, published today. Andrew Blatt and Robert Forman are additionally ranked as leading individuals in the field. Should you wish to speak to one of our team, please contact Andrew Blatt or Nick Trevette on 020 8530 7291 … Read More
Murdochs maintains Legal 500 ranking for Professional Discipline
September 17, 2015Murdochs’ three-strong Professional Discipline team, Andrew Blatt, Robert Forman & Nick Trevette maintain their Legal 500 UK ranking in September 2015’s release. Legal 500 say, ‘Murdochs Solicitors primarily represents solicitors, with a particular focus on defending clients at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and during SRA Forensic Investigations. The ‘sympathetic and understanding’ senior partner Andrew Blatt is … Read More
Kiani v SRA : Murdochs act in successful appeal to the Administrative Court against SDT decision to strike off solicitor
August 5, 2015Kiani v SRA [2015] EWHC 1981 (Admin) (QBD (Admin)). Robert Forman in our professional disciplinary team represented Ms. Kiani in her successful appeal against the decision of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal to strike her from the roll. The appeal, heard on 12th June 2015, was allowed and judgment of the SDT set aside insofar as … Read More
Murdochs Solicitors awarded title UK Professional Discipline & Regulation Law Firm of the Year – ACQ5 Law Awards 2014/15
April 16, 2015For the second consecutive year Murdochs have been awarded the title UK Professional Discipline & Regulation Law Firm of the Year by ACQ5 in their Law Awards 2014/15 and have made the following press release : London, April, 2015 – ACQ, a premier global M&A magazine, is proud to release the results of its ACQ Law … Read More
Seminars on SRA Investigations, Disciplinary Proceedings & Professional Indemnity Insurance
February 4, 2015Following last year’s successful seminars in Birmingham, Leeds, London & Manchester, come and hear Robert Forman and Andrew Blatt speak once again on SRA Investigations & Disciplinary Proceedings for MBL Seminars http://bit.ly/1LLueif These are the dates : Manchester 10th March 2015 (Robert Forman) London 12th March 2015 (Robert Forman) Birmingham 27th May 2015 (Andrew Blatt) Bristol … Read More
New article for Lexis PSL by Robert Forman looking at the ban on inducements in personal injury claims
November 21, 2014To see the article please click here taking you through to Lexis PSL’s website
Murdochs Solicitors retains ranking in Chambers UK 2015 for its work in Professional Discipline
October 31, 2014This is what Chambers has to say about us … Murdochs Solicitors Basic facts about the department – 2 partners – 1 other qualified lawyer – Recommended office locations: London What the team is known for Handles professional discipline matters relating to the legal services sector. Defends solicitors in disciplinary tribunals and investigations. Strengths (Quotes … Read More
New article by Robert Forman for Lexis Nexis – Lexis PSL ‘The long arm of the SRA’
October 14, 2014Robert Forman’s latest article for Lexis PSL explores two recent regulatory cases concerning solicitors, a private criminal prosecution and an SDT decision. To discuss a regulatory concern with Robert Forman, please telephone him on 020 8852 3412. A free trial of Lexis Library is available here: http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/lexispsl/
Murdochs maintains Legal 500 UK ranking for Professional Discipline
October 6, 2014Murdochs’ three-strong Professional Discipline team, Andrew Blatt, Robert Forman & Nick Trevette maintain their Legal 500 UK rating in this October 2014’s release. Legal 500 say, ‘The ‘honest and approachable’ Andrew Blatt is a senior partner at Murdochs Solicitors, which specialises in representing solicitors.’
Murdochs Solicitors announced as UK Professional Discipline & Regulation Law Firm of the Year 2014
April 2, 2014Following on from our success and award in 2013, thank you to all who voted for us in the ACQ Global Awards. We’ll continue working as hard as we can for you, and hope to make it three years’ running in 2015. London, April, 2014 – ACQ, a premier global M&A magazine, is proud to … Read More
Andrew Blatt & Robert Forman speaking for MBL Seminars on SRA Investigations, Disciplinary Proceedings & PI Insurance
February 26, 2014Andrew Blatt & Robert Forman will be speaking on SRA Investigations, Disciplinary Proceedings & PI Insurance for MBL Seminars http://buff.ly/1cPPqzE Dates booked : London – 1 April 2014 Manchester – 10 April 2014 Bristol – 4 June 2014 Leeds – 11 June 2014 Birmingham – 18 June 2014
Murdochs Solicitors ranked as leading firm for Professional Discipline in Chambers & Partners UK 2014
November 1, 2013Chambers & Partners UK released their 2014 rankings this week, Murdochs maintaining its ranking as a leading firm in Professional Discipline. Andrew Blatt was ranked as a leading individual and Robert Forman an Associate to Watch. Chambers said the following about Murdochs :- Strong solicitors’ discipline practice, routinely appearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. Strengths (Quotes … Read More
UK Professional Discipline & Regulation Law Firm of the Year 2013
November 1, 2013Following up on our success in the Global Awards, Murdochs Solicitors are voted winners of UK Professional Discipline & Regulation Law Firm of the Year in the ACQ5 Law Awards 2013.
How should the SRA respond to Co-Op Legal Services’ £3.4m losses?
September 23, 2013This article first appeared on Lexis Nexis PSL on 18th September 2013 Practice Compliance analysis: Is the loss suffered by the Cooperative Legal Services Ltd (CLS) in the first half of 2013 a significant indicator of the state of the deregulated legal market? Robert Forman, senior associate at Murdochs Solicitors, considers the issues. What prompts … Read More
UK Professional Discipline & Regulation Law Firm of the Year 2013 – ACQ Global Awards Supplement release
August 21, 2013ACQ Global Awards supplement has been released. Murdochs Solicitors award as UK Professional Discipline & Regulation Law Firm of the Year recorded on Page 13.