Asked by: Johnny Mercer (Conservative - Plymouth, Moor View)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Solicitors Regulation Authority is taking to help ensure that (a) solicitors and (b) law firms are complying with sanctions imposed by the UK on Russia.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Under the framework established by the Legal Services Act 2007, the legal profession in England and Wales operates independently of the government. Regulation of legal services is independent of the professions and government.
Lawyers are subject to significant anti-money laundering responsibilities and duties, as well as strict procedures when transacting with sanctioned individuals. Those individuals are required to obtain a license from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation to make payments for legal services.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has put out guidance reminding solicitors of their professional obligations and legal requirements if they represent sanctioned individuals. The SRA Code of Conduct requires all regulated law firms to have appropriate policies in place to ensure compliance with sanctions legislation, including undertaking regular and appropriate checks of sanctions lists. The SRA is stepping up spot checks, focused on those firms who may be exposed to the Russian market, and investigations to monitor and enforce compliance. It has been in touch with all solicitors and firms to remind them directly of their obligations.
Breaching the financial sanctions requirements can result in potential criminal prosecution or a fine. This is also the case where there is evidence of serious or repeated breaches of money laundering regulations. In the last four years, the SRA have prosecuted more than 60 such cases at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. These have resulted in a range of fines, as well as multiple solicitors having been struck off or suspended.
Legal sector regulators are also coming together rapidly to look at what can be done to further improve the enforcement of the restrictions under the current sanction and anti-money laundering regime. The SRA has also recently consulted on increasing its internal fining powers, which could increase deterrence and enable it to resolve cases more quickly.
Asked by: Johnny Mercer (Conservative - Plymouth, Moor View)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much legal aid has been allocated to Northern Ireland law firms (a) KRW Law and (b) Madden and Finucane in each of the last five years.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
KRW Law were offered a legal aid contract which allowed them to represent families of the victims at the inquest into the Birmingham Pub Bombings. Our thoughts are with the families of those who died during this horrific attack.
Legal aid is available for inquests in exceptional cases, which is why we funded the families throughout this inquest.
While our review of legal aid showed that legal representation is not necessary for the vast majority of inquests, we are making a number of changes to ensure there is more support for bereaved families.
Payments by the Legal Aid Agency to KRW Law during the last five years are broken down as below. Note that legal aid costs are paid in arrears, therefore payments may be made in a different year to that in which services were provided:
Year | Amount |
2021 | £62,892.84 |
2020 | £91,622.03 |
2019 | Nil |
2018 | Nil |
2017 | Nil |
No legal aid has been allocated to Madden and Finucane in any of the last five years.
Asked by: Johnny Mercer (Conservative - Plymouth, Moor View)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what sentencing guidelines have been put in place to deal with people who repeatedly offend in relation to (a) possession of and (b) threatening with a bladed article or offensive weapon.
Answered by Sam Gyimah
Sentencing Guidelines are produced by the independent Sentencing Council.
The Council has developed a draft guideline on sentences for knife possession and threat offences, including repeat offences, which they consulted on between 6 October 2016 and 6 January 2017. The draft guideline is available from the Sentencing Council’s website: www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk
Following consultation the Council will develop a definitive guideline to be published later this year.
After the introduction of our two strikes legislation, people caught carrying a knife a second time are now more likely than ever before to go to prison.