Hillsborough investigation launched by SRA
The role and conduct of solicitors involved in legal proceedings following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster will be investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the regulator announced today.
However it said it has yet to receive any formal complaints about the conduct of solicitors involved in Hillsborough legal proceedings.
In a statement today, the SRA said its decision follows last week’s report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, ‘which identifies serious concerns’.
Samantha Barrass, the regulator’s executive director, said: ‘We have considered the material in the public domain, including the Hillsborough Independent Panel Report, and have decided to begin an investigation. The issues arising from the report impact on the public's confidence in the legal profession and we will undertake a thorough investigation of those issues.
‘The first step is to begin a detailed review of all relevant evidence arising from the report and from the various proceedings.’
Comments
So why jump on the Bandwagon
So why jump on the Bandwagon to raise a non- existant problem thus enflaming an already sensitive situation further?
This organisation is out of control
The Law Society should be
The Law Society should be gathering evidence on the activities of the SRA
Letting go is the hardest thing to do
Hillsborough
This was an absolute disaster waiting to happen if what we read is true. However, I am at a loss as to any useful contribution the SRA can make. Many of the presumably senior lawyers involved at the time may have retired or even died as I am told have some senior policemen?
Agitated Attorney and Voidemort are right. The SRA should keep its nose out of a ghastly tragedy (the correct use of the word as something bound to happen) which has bigger implications than their tiny minds can comprehend. They should all be issued with mirrors and instructed to ask the oaf they see in it if said oaf is fitted to ask any questions of anything other than their garden gnome?
Correct - to start a
Correct - to start a regulatory investigation in respect of matters over 22 years ago seems more like political posturing than common-sense...
Of course it is political
Of course it is political posturing-but the SRA is a political entity.
The above comments are why the SRA exists,
Because if we left it up to solicitors, you'd be waving any attempt to expose your wrong-doings.
"Oh no, far too old."
"Too sensitive an issue."
"It's just political."
oh dear another person with
oh dear another person with chip on shoulder
Past events
Who says there is a non existant problem? Presumably the SRA think there are some questions which need answering about the conduct of solicitors from the time - so let them get on with their job.
Why should the legal profession be exempt from scrutiny about events and possible wrongdoing 25 years ago?
Incidentally, the legal profession had no qualms about taking on work about events which happened many years ago. The Bloody Sunday enquiry was one example where many legal teams were more than happy to participate in litigation re-examining issues which many would say were pointless and a waste of money. There are countless examples of other litigation and public enquiry work which has been undertaken concerning events long ago.
The views here seem just another example of hypocrisy and double standards.
As a solicitor, I quite agree
As a solicitor, I quite agree with you on this particular point Kelly. I am baffled by the apparent suggestions that the potentially corrupt actions of some solicitors should be bruashed under the carpet simply because it was many years ago. The SRA may be investigating in some part out of political posturing, but that doesn't mean there is no legitimate basis for doing so.
SRA
I am extremely concerned with how the SRA conduct investigations. This is a situation they should investigate, but I have no faith that they will do it properly or that they even have the skills to conduct an investigation. I have looked in to this in detail and the whole system is flawed. I am a solicitor who has lost respect for the regulatory body.