Solicitors and The Accounts Rules A Compliance Handbook 2nd edition

Description: BOOK REVIEW

SOLICITORS AND THE ACCOUNTS RULES A Compliance Handbook

By Peter Camp

ISBN: 978-1-85328-799-2

Law Society Publishing

www.lawsociety.org.uk

COMPLIANCE & CLIENTS’ MONEY: UP TO DATE GUIDANCE FOR THE SOLICITOR FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE SOLICITORS ACCOUNTS RULES AND OTHER CHANGES POST 2007

An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers

When staying up to date is vital to your practice, this indispensible handbook helps you do just that. It reflects the recent changes pertaining to accounts rules (as at August 2009) that have come into force since the publication of the 2006 edition – and there is a fairly long list of these, including amendments to the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules 1998 which culminated in significant changes implemented on 31 March 2009 following the partial implementation of the Legal Services Act 2007. So it was by June 2007 that the general conduct obligations were codified in the Solicitors’ Code of Conduct 2007.

Usefully – in case you’re not terribly confident of prior knowledge in this area -- the book’s first chapter offers you an overview of the contents of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules 1998, so you don’t necessarily have to look up other sources. Or if you feel comfortable with your expertise, you can skip this chapter and read the chapters following, which give you the necessary detail on what and what is not permissible in the handling and retention of clients’ money.

As straightforward and accessible as Professor Camp’s other Law Society publications, 'Solicitors and the Accounts Rules’ illustrates with practical examples some of the complexities you will typically encounter within this area of your practice. In particular, note Chapter 13 which offers practical guidance on the application of the rules in specific circumstances. Also worthy of note: the chapter on money laundering which has been updated to reflect the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, brought into force in December 2007.

With key texts and legislation included in the appendices, plus useful Table of Cases and Table of Statutes, Table of Law Society rules and codes, Table of statutory instruments, ‘Solicitors and The Accounts Rule’s is invaluable as a work of reference, particularly if you as a solicitor are involved with the day to day handling of client monies and solicitors’ accounts.

The work has 14 chapters in 300 pages with two detailed and important appendices, and readers will find sister works from the Law Society available to cover areas such recent areas as money laundering as the issue of solicitors and their accounts rules remains a practice priority and the advice given by Peter Camp remains impeccable.

ISBN: 978-1-85328-799-2