Solicitors in UK warned not to act as ‘hired guns’ to silence critics of super-rich

Regulator investigating 40 alleged Slapp' cases, including action by firm on behalf of Russian oligarch who runs Wagner group

Law firms have been warned by their regulator that they should not act as hired guns" to silence critics of the wealthy, amid a spate of allegations of abusive litigation by Russian oligarchs since the invasion of Ukraine.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which regulates solicitors in England and Wales, has revealed it is investigating 40 cases of alleged strategic lawsuits against public participation (Slapps). There are significant concerns being raised about solicitors making meritless claims on behalf of oligarchs to stifle public discourse about corruption or money laundering", it said in a report published this week.