Sarah Mumford

Sarah Mumford has, consecutively, been Best Practice Partner at two commercial law firms (TLT LLP and Bevan Brittan LLP). In those roles, she was responsible for guidance, quality standards (ISO 9001 and 27001), compliance, risk, complaints, claims, practice governance and Stuff (from ‘mundane to merger’). She is a regular speaker at risk management events. Prior to moving into management, she was a commercial litigation solicitor. She has dealt with professional negligence (defendant and claimant) throughout her career but has also specialised at different times in insolvency, contentious construction law and professional conduct. Since September 2013 she has been running her own risk management consultancy for lawyers offering confidential advice, training, audit and guidance, working with firms from sole practitioner, to niche to Top 30 firms. As a consultant, she has been interim Director of Risk for varying periods, at Taylor Wessing, Addleshaw Goddard and Trowers & Hamlins.

Practice Area

Practice Compliance

Panels

Consulting Editorial Board
Contributing Author
Q&A Panel

Qualified Year

1981

Education

Badminton School, Bristol
University of Exeter

2 Contributions by Sarah Mumford

PRACTICE NOTES

Residual Client Account Balances: COLP/COFA guide to SRA-compliant project triggers, triage, resolution and prevention (England and Wales)

At any one time, most practices carry a handful of aged, typically modest, residual balances tied to client matters within the firm. In the normal run of business, handling these residual balances ought to be straightforward, routine housekeeping. On occasion, though, the volume and spread of residual balances is such that a more substantial project is needed to bring them back under firm control. This Practice Note explores practical questions that can confront the project sponsor, eg the COLP or COFA, when initiating a programme to address your firm’s residual balances. It sets out the circumstances that may prompt commencing a project, how best to start and organise the work, and offers pragmatic pointers designed to lighten the project sponsor’s workload considerably. It should be read in conjunction with Practice Note: Residual balances—law firms. In what circumstances will a residual balances project be required? You may have undertaken a residual balance project...

Practice Compliance

PRECEDENTS

Firm Policy on Personal and Connected Matters: Acting for Partners/Employees, Yourself, Friends and Family; Arm’s-Length Controls, SRA Duties and AML/CTF/CPF Compliance (England and Wales)

1 Introduction This policy applies in three distinct circumstances: the firm representing a partner or employee, either solely or alongside an outside client—refer to section 2; a partner or employee conducting their own matter—see section 3; offering personal advice to others, irrespective of friendship or family ties—see section 4. This policy safeguards all clients by ensuring every piece of legal work carried out by the firm follows our standard procedures, reducing risks to the firm and to individuals. Adherence to this policy is mandatory. Direct any questions about the policy, its scope, meaning, or application to [ insert, eg the COLP ]. 2 [ Insert name of firm ] acting for partners or employees alone or jointly with an external client As a rule, [ insert name of firm ] will decline instructions from a partner or employee in a personal matter concerning that individual or any of their family members (spouse, civil partner, children, parents, siblings included) or close friends (meaning close personal friends where impartiality could reasonably be questioned)...