Company & Commercial
Legal market to grow “in all areas” as PE extends reach
The legal services market will grow across all practice areas in 2026 for the first time since Covid, researchers have predicte, while a growing private equity presence is “a continuing theme”.
Law firm offers SMEs £17.50 AI contract reviews
A business law firm is offering SMEs contract reviews conducted entirely by artificial intelligence, costing just £17.50 for simple agreements.
Lawyers call on Law Commission to confirm new crypto approach
A coalition of 11 law firms has called on the Law Commission to confirm a provisional conclusion on the approach courts should take on jurisdiction and crypto-assets.
Practising barrister named a tax avoidance promoter in HMRC first
A practising barrister has for the first time been added to HM Revenue & Customs’ list of tax avoidance promoters.
Solicitors condemn HMRC plans for “deemed waiver” of privilege
Solicitors have condemned plans by HMRC to introduce a “deemed waiver” of privilege where tax avoidance scheme are marketed as being supported by a legal opinion.
Law firms look to offer clients AI assurance services
Law firms are in the race to offer companies artificial intelligence (AI) assurance services, according to a specialist AI and data lawyer.
Law firm to pay 10% of commercial fees into social justice fund
A well-known London law firm has launched a fund to receive 10% of the firm’s fees from non-contentious commercial work and then hand over the money to two legal charities.
UK lawtech firm raises $30m to expand use of agentic AI
A lawtech contract specialist has raised $30m in Series B funding to further develop its use of agentic artificial intelligence as it expands outside the UK.
Three out of 10 GCs plan to cut spending on external lawyers
Nearly three out of 10 corporate general counsel plan to cut spending on external lawyers – the highest proportion since 2020, a report has found.
City giant seeks to shift blame for errors that cost client £83m
City giant A&O Shearman can make the argument that others were to blame for a mistake that has so far cost its client Nationwide £83m, the High Court has ruled.
Blog
Fixed recoverable costs: Sacrificing justice for predictability?
The extended fixed recoverable costs regime is failing to achieve its stated objectives. Instead of promoting fairness and efficiency, the rules are creating anomalies that undermine justice.
Expectations keep rising, so prioritise client experience
Law firms are facing growing pressure to place greater focus on client experience or risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive legal market.
Want sustainable growth? Look to operational excellence
Many firms are being forced to reassess where growth will come from. Increasingly, the answer lies in operational excellence: creating capacity from existing teams.
