Business Details
Expert Legal Representation for Solicitors in London
Murdochs Law is a nationally recognised specialist firm dedicated to Solicitors' Professional Discipline & Regulation. With decades of combined experience, our team has earned a reputation for excellence in advising and representing firms and individuals facing SRA investigations and SDT proceedings. We are consistently top-ranked in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500, with all team members individually recognised as experts in SRA-related matters.Our deep understanding of regulatory expectations enables us to provide strategic guidance that protects professional interests while navigating complex disciplinary processes. We combine technical expertise with a client-focused approach, ensuring transparent communication and tailored solutions for every case.
Services
SRA Investigations
SDT Defence
Self-Reports to SRA
Intervention Prevention
Administrative Court Appeals
Regulatory Compliance
Practising Certificates
Character Assessment
Successor Practice Advice
Insurance Coverage
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in Solicitors' Professional Discipline & Regulation
- Our team are all individually recognised as experts in SRA related matters
- We implement a patented process for regulatory compliance strategies
- We provide 24/7 personalised client support during active investigations
- Our team consists of certified experts with extensive SRA tribunal experience
What people say
Outstanding legal services
Successful outcome
Exceptional attention to detail
Responsive and knowledgeable
Proven track record
Services
SRA Investigations
Our SRA investigation specialists provide strategic representation for firms and individuals facing regulatory scrutiny. We guide clients through forensic investigations, self-reporting requirements, and compliance challenges while protecting professional interests. With deep understanding of SRA protocols, we negotiate resolutions that minimise disciplinary risks and operational impacts. Our proactive approach often secures no-further-action outcomes through early intervention and evidence-based representations.
SDT Proceedings
We defend solicitors and law firms in Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal proceedings with a focus on mitigating sanctions and preserving professional standing. Our team combines advocacy expertise with regulatory knowledge to challenge allegations effectively. We prepare comprehensive defences, negotiate agreed outcomes, and represent clients at hearings, leveraging our track record of successful tribunal appearances to achieve optimal results.
Regulatory Appeals
Our specialists handle appeals to the Administrative Court against SDT decisions, focusing on procedural errors and disproportionate sanctions. We assess appeal viability, prepare grounds of challenge, and advocate before High Court judges. Our experience in complex appellate litigation ensures clients receive strategic guidance about pursuing or resisting appeals in the Royal Courts of Justice.
Practice Closures
We advise on voluntary practice closures and restructuring to avoid SRA intervention. Our services include compliance audits, action plan development, and SRA negotiations to demonstrate self-regulation capabilities. We help firms address historical issues while maintaining operational continuity, with proven success in preventing practice closures through proactive regulatory engagement.
Insurance Coverage
We represent clients in professional indemnity insurance coverage disputes, including declinature challenges and defence cost negotiations. Our team handles insurer investigations, indemnity claims, and aggregation clause disputes while protecting clients' interests. We also assist with successor practice liability assessments and insurance renewal strategies to mitigate coverage risks.
People
Andrew Stephen Blatt
Senior Partner
Admitted in 1985, Andrew is a Chambers & Partners Hall of Fame lawyer specialising in professional discipline. He has represented solicitors in complex SRA cases and SDT proceedings for decades, known for his strategic approach and client-focused advocacy.
Robert Howard Forman
Senior Consultant
Admitted in 1997, Robert is a leading SRA regulatory expert and co-author of The Solicitor's Handbook. He specialises in SDT defence and compliance matters, with particular expertise in forensic investigations and regulatory strategy.
Nicholas Anthony Trevette
Director
Admitted in 2004, Nick has over 20 years' experience in fraud investigation and solicitor discipline. He represents firms in SRA investigations and insurance coverage disputes, combining investigative skills with regulatory law expertise to achieve practical solutions.
Questions
How can I avoid SRA intervention?
Early engagement with regulatory specialists helps address compliance issues proactively. We develop action plans demonstrating self-regulation capabilities to prevent practice closures.
What happens during SDT proceedings?
Proceedings involve formal allegations, evidence disclosure, and hearings before a three-member panel. We guide clients through defence strategies, mitigation, and potential agreed outcomes.
Can I appeal SDT decisions?
Yes, appeals to the Administrative Court are possible within 21 days of judgment. We assess viability based on procedural errors or disproportionate sanctions.
How do you handle insurance coverage disputes?
We represent clients in coverage investigations, challenge insurer declinatures, and negotiate defence cost arrangements while protecting clients' interests during regulatory proceedings.
What regulatory advice do you provide?
We advise on SRA compliance, self-reporting obligations, practising certificate conditions, and structural changes to ensure regulatory adherence while minimising disciplinary risks.
Reviews (1)
Denise King
Nov 05, 2021
Report
Positive:Responsiveness
Absolutely fantastic service. Dealt with Laura Scullion and would highly recommend. Down to earth, straightforward, helpful and even gave me a mobile number. No chasing for days, immediate responses and very proactive.
Absolutely fantastic service. Dealt with Laura Scullion and would highly recommend. Down to earth, straightforward, helpful and even gave me a mobile number. No chasing for days, immediate responses and very proactive.
