Murdochs Solicitors

Murdochs provides professional discipline and regulatory representation, advice and support to firms and individual members of the legal professions.

The team, led by Andrew Blatt, are recognised as leaders in solicitors professional discipline and regulation.

The team’s core work involves acting for firms and individual solicitors facing SRA investigation, preparing self-reports, and defending proceedings before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The team has a number of firms, large and small, on its books to which it provides regular advice and representation. It also acts as agent to firms seeking specialist regulatory advice in connection with client matters.

The team comprises :

• Andrew Blatt, practice head, qualified 1985 - Andrew sits on , the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal's User Group, he is an Executive on the Committee of the Solicitors Assistance Scheme.
• Robert Forman, qualified 1997 - Robert handles complex forensic investigations, self-reports, and is an experienced advocate at the SDT. Robert is co-author of The Solicitor’s Handbook, 2019, 2022 and 2024 editions and sits on the Law Society's Regulatory Processes Committee.
• Nick Trevette, qualified 2004 - Nick is an experienced fraud investigator and specialises in Voluntary Practice Closures.

The team is renowned for delivering high quality and cost-effective legal services. The firm was established in the City of London in 1984, before relocating to, what is now an administrative hub, in London E11. The team regularly acts for solicitors across all parts of England and Wales.

The team regularly provides services in the following regulatory sectors :

• Representation in SRA investigations
• Defence at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
• Appeals from the SDT to the Administrative Court
• Appeals to the SDT from decisions of the SRA
• Representation and advice when seeking to avoid SRA Intervention
• Appeals to the High Court against SRA Intervention
• Self-reports to the SRA
• Written Opinions and Advice on the SRA Standards & Regulations 2019, Legal Services Act 2007 & Solicitors Act 1974
• SRA Practising Certificate issues
• Admission to the Roll and the Suitability Test
• Advising firms, COLPs and COFAs on Compliance
• Voluntary Practice Closures
• SRA Authorisation for Authorised and Licensed Bodies (ABS)
• Successor practice issues
• Reports for the purposes of insurance renewal
• Professional indemnity insurance coverage disputes
• Partnership disputes
• Representations against the publication of regulatory decisions
• Legal Ombudsman complaints

The team also acts for Barristers, Licensed Conveyancers, Legal Executives, Notaries and Paralegals. The team also has experience in the Taxation Disciplinary Board Tribunal, and before the House of Lords Conduct Committee.