Had Isambard Kingdom Brunel been a lawyer and not an engineer, suspension bridges might have remained the domain of orthodontists and we might still be rowing wooden boats to the Balearics for our summer holidays. As it turned out, his engineering genius helped shape the Industrial Revolution and put the Great into Great Britain – in much the same way my colleagues say I put the bone into bone idle. There is much evidence to suggest that the legal sector is now at the forefront of the Professional Revolution.

With all residential and commercial property transactions, limiting clients’ exposure to contractual or other legal risks relating to the purchase is a key goal. This includes the consideration of any possible environmental risks or damage relating to the property or site, such that they can be managed appropriately both at point of transaction and in future, in order to maximise the value of the investment. From a solicitor’s standpoint, analysis of this nature is vital in order to demonstrate that full and thorough due diligence has taken place.

Steve Jobs once said that innovation distinguishes the leaders from the followers, but in the legal market how many firms are true innovators, and how many are just following the pack? How many really understand the needs of their clients, and are prepared to innovate to meet those needs and offer a top-class service? Clients require a high-quality, value-for-money service from their law firm, with good communication across multiple channels.

When the charge for single-use plastic carrier bags was introduced in England on 5 October 2015, Tesco reported a 78% drop in number of single-use carrier bags taken from its stores in England in the first month. According to a panel of environmental experts, if the government is to meet its targets for sustainable planning and development, a similar initiative could be the key to addressing some of the barriers.

The final CPD year under the hours-based system drew to a close last week, with the new continuing competence regime now in place. This is likely to have been the last year when CPD providers could rely on a flurry of last-minute course registrations, as lawyers looked to ensure they completed the required 16 hours. It’s time for change, and there’s never been a better time for firms to review how their lawyers learn, so that effective personal development becomes an essential part of every firm’s recruitment and retention strategy.