Latest news
BSB launches CPD pilot as it moves away from hours-based scheme
The Bar Standards Board has launched a pilot scheme to test plans to replace its hours-based CPD system with a new scheme in 2017. The pilot, launched last month, will run until March next year.
Exclusive: Fletchers launches Medical Law Network to take on big firms
North-west firm Fletchers Solicitors has launched a medical negligence marketing network with three other niche practices in a bid to compete with the biggest players in the market.
SME law firms “face the most threat” from new entrants, survey finds
Small and medium-sized law firms “face the most threat” from new entrants and increased competition, a wide-ranging survey of the UK legal services market has found.
Cabinet minister urges more action to ensure gender equality in the law
Equal pay and a change in culture that makes women feel “comfortable in the working environment” are the keys to ensuring a “truly fair, equal, and diverse legal profession”, a cabinet minister who used to be a City solicitor has argued.
Legal aid providers “trying to innovate” but destablised by cuts
More than a third of advice agencies that have so far implemented charging for legal services appear to have done so sustainably, a survey of post-LASPO innovations has found.
Law Society report: City firms consider themselves “way ahead” on diversity
The big City firms believe they are “way ahead” of the Law Society on diversity and inclusion, a report for the society has found. But the only LBGT network that had supported the victim of a homophobic comment was at a large City firm.
Former diplomat becomes chair of IPS as Bradley leaves CLC
Quinton Quayle, a former British ambassador to Thailand, has been appointed chair of ILEX Professional Standards. Meanwhile, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has announced that Anna Bradley is stepping down as chair after five years.
QC-backed ‘second opinion’ service aims to succeed where Stobarts failed
A law firm set up to give the public quick and easy online access to barristers’ opinions has been launched by a criminal law solicitor along with two QCs and around 20 chambers across the country.
BSB investigates complaints about 17 barristers at same chambers
The Bar Standards Board is investigating complaints about 17 barristers at the same chambers, it has emerged. Meanwhile, there have been 55 expressions of interest and seven formal applications to form BSB-regulated entities.
Law firms failing to meet threat of market disruption, says report
Law firms are failing to respond to the disruptive effects of new entrants to legal services and continue to measure their success using traditional performance metrics, according to a report on market influences in 2015.
Blog
Mazur: a symptom not a cause?
If Mazur is a symptom, what does it mean for the underlying health of our civil justice system: the ‘finest legal system in the world’?
Cross-generation collaboration: the key to in-house legal tech adoption
In-house legal function leaders will increasingly have to evolve their thinking on how to manage multigenerational teams containing differing levels of technological expertise.
AI and law firm risk – the view of professional indemnity insurers
In considering law firm applications for cover, many insurers will expect to see evidence of how firms are adapting to AI and preparing for the future.
