The essential guide to conduct, compliance and competence, and the Legal Services Act
Practice points
Demystifying the banking process – what your bank looks for in your firm
The recession and continuing economic challenges highlight the increasing importance of law firms having an effective business strategy in place that considers the ambitions of the firm but ensures that those ambitions are delivered against access to suitable levels of cash flow. By Legal Futures Associate NatWest
Lawyers told: don’t be put off social media by barrister fined over tweets
Lawyers were this week told not to be discouraged from embracing social media after a barrister who was among the legal pioneers on Twitter was fined for messages he posted on the service. However, the case does raise questions over the role of regulators in policing lawyers’ activity on Twitter.
New websites aid solicitors seeking barristers, and consumers seeking solicitors they can trust
A new service has been launched that allows solicitors to contact numerous sets of barristers chambers simultaneously to check what counsel are available for a case they are looking to cover. Meanwhile, another online service aimed at helping consumers find tradesmen is now targeting the legal market.
Fixed-share partners are partners and not employees, Court of Appeal confirms
A former fixed-share partner at south-coast law firm Lester Aldridge has lost his appeal against a ruling that he was a partner and not an employee in the limited liability partnership and so unable to claim unfair dismissal.
Long-standing relationship with a client does not mean a continuing retainer, High Court rules
Solicitors who have a long-standing relationship with a client and receive many instructions are not under an implied general retainer to keep under review all previous advice and drafting, the High Court has ruled.
News in brief: jailed solicitor loses appeal, PC renewal progress, onshore LPO boost, and much more
Our regular news round-up reports on a jailed solicitor’s appeal against his seven-year sentence, an SRA update on PC renewal, Integreon’s new LPO facility, the new Law Society advocacy section, pressure on HSBC over conveyancing and Herbert Smith expanding in Belfast.
Sharp rise in number of distressed law firms, with ABSs “set to make things worse”
There has been a big rise in the number of law firms in distress, with the advent of alternative business structures (ABSs) set to make things worse, corporate recovery specialists Begbies Traynor have claimed.
Senior lawyers offered chance to semi-attach their practices to leading City firms
Twelve large City law firms have registered their interest with a novel recruitment business that places senior lawyers with followings as consultants at law firms, allowing them to run their own practices and keep most of their billings, while drawing on the support and reputation of the firm.
News in brief: LSC wins overpayment test cases, City lawyers’ bonuses on the up, and more
News round-up takes in an important court victory for the Legal Services Commission on legal aid payments, a major survey showing that City lawyer salaries are very much on the up and partners borrowing more to pay tax bills.
Law Society and SRA join forces to fight £50m indemnity insurance case
The Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority have been granted leave to intervene in a High Court case on whether professional indemnity insurers should be able to effectively cap cover by aggregating claims against a firm – with a bill of £50m at stake.
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Associate News
Demystifying the banking process – what your bank looks for in your firm
QualitySolicitors Keith Park implements Peppermint Portal
David Thorpe joins fast-growing technology innovator Peppermint Technology
DAS appoints head of marketing
Take client interaction to the next level with the Peppermint Platform
LexisNexis Visualfiles Helps Essex Legal Services deliver savings for the Public Law Partnership
Roadshow highlights potential perils of new COLP/COFA roles
