By Julius Melnitzer | January 30, 2026
CERTIFYING COPIES OF ID DOCUMENTS LEADS TO DISBARMENT
Andrew Jackson, a UK solicitor for more than two decades who led the commercial property at Chester firm Cullimore Dutton Solicitors, lost his license to practise when he admitted certifying copies of of a client’s passport and driving license without seeing the originals or meeting the client for that purpose. The client, who needed a mortgage, had sent Jackson the copies, which he certified and passed on to the lender’s lawyers. When his firm uncovered Jackson’s conduct, a clear transgression of professional rules, it fired him. In his defence, Jackson told the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) investigators that he had known the client for six years and relied on the “chain of trust” the pair had developed. He also claimed that he had checked the originals previously, and submitted that he was justified in certifying the high-quality images because the documents’ originality was in the information it contained, not its physical status. The SRA would have none of it.
PE FOCUSING ON MID-SIZE LAW FIRMS
A report by MHA, an accounting firm, in partnership with the Law Society of England and Wales, revealed that private equity investors had contacted 70% of the 60 mid-sized firms who responded to the survey. According to the Law Society Gazette, the findings indicated “a clear move away form mergers towards acquisitions that could potentially be funded by PE investment”. Indeed, while only 3% of respondents planned to engage in merger activity in the next year, 17% were planning acquisitions.
FARTING ON POLICE DRAWS ASSAULT CHARGES
It appears that police—at least those in New Brunswick—are touchier than ever. Prosecutors claimed that when Robert Weldon was being escorted into a detachment after being arrested for stealing a vehicle, he backed into two RCMP officers’ hip and groin areas and farted. As delicate creatures, the Mounties were most offended and charged Weldon with assault. The stink brought him a six-month conditional sentence, including house arrest and a curfew, 75 hours of community service, a one-year driving ban, and $1,200 in fines.
TRUMP’S TAKE ON THE “BRITISH INVASION”
The Trump administration has maintained that presidents have unrestricted power to define what an “invasion” is. So when Chief Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod of the Fifth Circuit asked Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign whether the “British invasion” by rock bands would have empowered the president to deport the Beatles, Ensign retorted that foreign affairs and security were indeed political issues. In its report on the case, Above the Law suggests that the administration would undoubtedly have relied on the “military command structure” the Beatles had created under the Sgt. Pepper motif, which included access to a yellow submarine.
ARBITRATION ALLIANCE SEEKS CONNECTIVITY AND MOBILITY
In its continuing effort to enhance professional connectivity and mobility for dispute resolution practitioners, the International Arbitration Centre Alliance (IACA) has launched the IACA Global Passport. The document allows members to access shared lounges, facilities, and services across partner hearing centres worldwide. The IACA, of which Toronto’s Arbitration Place is a founding member, boasts hearing centres in Toronto, Abu Dhabi, Kazakhstan, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Paris. The Global Passport also offers concierge support while working abroad; networking opportunities; and exclusive member discounts on selected services.
Julius Melnitzer is a Toronto-based legal affairs writer, ghostwriter, writing coach and media trainer. Readers can reach him at julius@legalwriter.net or on his website.