Latest news
Building society to tell firms: use a rated insurer or you’re off the panel
The Yorkshire Building Society group will insist that all law firms on its conveyancing panel have rated professional indemnity insurers from 1 October 2014, it has announced. The rule will apply at once for new applicants to the panel.
SRA pushes ahead with deregulation of training
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is pushing ahead with its plans to deregulate the training of solicitors, despite objections from their professional body. They include scrapping the prescribed form of the training contract.
Quindell launches legal action over "shorting attack"
Quindell plc has begun legal action against those it believes have co-ordinated a “shorting attack” on its shares, the alternative business structure announced this morning.
Unrecognised pioneers will “reshape the legal industry”, finds Law 2023 study
Firms that are adapting to the way the legal market is changing “will have to face the hard truth that their actions today won’t be understood for years”, an investigation into the future of the law has concluded.
Law Society elects next deputy vice-president as Townsend finds new role
Robert Bourns, senior partner at Bristol-based commercial firm TLT, is to be the next deputy vice-president of the Law Society. Meanwhile, a new role for former SRA chief executive Antony Townsend was announced today.
Fast-growing law firm throws accountancy services into the mix
Fast-expanding multi-office law firm HCB has joined forces with a firm of accountants in a bid to provide “joined-up professional services”. HCB chief executive Mike Gahan has taken a 51% stake in Hatch.
Ratings-driven legal research website goes live
A legal research website which relies on crowdsourcing and ranks content according to user ratings, launched this week. My Learned Friend is backed by £60,000 of funding from a local technology investor.
Would you like a will with your beans? Supermarket law becomes a reality
The prospect of law firms opening offices in supermarkets has become a reality in Canada, with a practice opening three within stores of retail giant Walmart amid plans to take the concept ‘coast to coast’.
Is world’s largest ‘find a lawyer’ service coming to the UK?
The world’s largest lawyer rating website could be heading for the UK after raising £22m in new capital, Legal Futures can reveal. Avvo, a US-based company, applies its proprietorial rating to more than 97% of lawyers in America.
Quindell bids to reassure market after share price plummet
Alternative business structure Quindell plc moved to reassure the stock exchange yesterday after a negative research note sent its share price plummeting. Having started the day at around 40p, Quindell’s shares on AIM fell as low as 17p before recovering somewhat to 23.75p.
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.
