Latest news
Non-lawyers and clients set pace in legal market
Expertise from outside the profession is becoming a vital part of the success of law firms and clients are increasingly dictating the pace of change in the legal services market, a panel of non-lawyer industry experts has said.
“Unbalanced promotion of competition” puts lawyers’ ethical standards at risk
The “unbalanced promotion of competition” in the legal services market “carries dangers” and puts ethical standards at risk, a major report based on a survey of 966 solicitors and barristers has concluded.
Datalaw secures venture capital funding as it gears up for new CPD era
Online training company Datalaw has secured a six figure investment from a northern venture capital fund and promised to quadruple the number of its continuous professional development (CPD) courses.
Law Society climbs down over Sharia will practice note and apologises
The Law Society yesterday withdrew and apologised for its controversial practice note on Sharia succession principles. Published in March, the practice note led to newspaper accusations that it was effectively enshrining Islamic law in the British legal system.
Keystone Law outlines post-investment growth plans
‘Dispersed’ firm Keystone Law has set out an ambitious growth strategy for the firm in the wake of taking external investment, which will see it more than double the number of its offices.
Claims management company wound up over misused client funds
A Bradford-based payment protection insurance claims management company, has been wound up by the High Court, following an investigation by the Insolvency Service.
Lawyers expect more MDPs and big brands to enter market – and they’re not happy about it
Lawyers expect the opening up of the legal market to lead to more multi-disciplinary professional services companies, offering consultancy, business and legal advice, research has shown.
SRA: law firms should be allowed to provide accountancy services
Law firms should be able to provide accountancy and other services without setting up separate businesses to help them compete with alternative business structures, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has proposed.
Government plans could “undermine our independence”, LSB warns
Chris Kenny, chief executive of the Legal Services Board, said he had written to “senior officials” at the Ministry of Justice objecting to plans that risk “undermining our independence from government”.
SRA to end Law Society’s ‘Find a Solicitor’ monopoly
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to end the monopoly currently enjoyed by the Law Society’s ‘Find a Solicitor’ website, by making the data behind it available to commercial comparison sites. It is also to set up own “online regulatory register” for the public.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
