Latest news
Tribunal rejects SRA appeal against sex discrimination ruling
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has lost its appeal against an employment tribunal decision that it discriminated against a female employee after revoking her part-time working agreement.
After BigLaw and NewLaw, here comes MicroLaw
The case for ‘micro’ law firms – small, boutique practices spun out of larger firms – is growing as lawyers struggle to control the ‘Leviathan’ of big practices, a top academic has argued.
Investment boost for legal research website targeting crowdsourcing to generate content
A commercial legal research website is under development that aims to harness the power of crowdsourcing to generate content and become the starting point for enquiries by law student and lawyers. It has just received £60,000 in private investment.
QASA claimants bid to fight on to Court of Appeal
The legal challenge to the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) is not yet dead after it emerged that the claimants have gone to the Court of Appeal to seek permission to appeal.
Debt management giant starts ABS as accountants close legal practice after just five months
One of the UK’s largest debt management companies, Harrington Brooks, which has an annual turnover of around £30m, has created an alternative business structure run by its head of legal services.
Online legal service targets web commerce market with ‘law in minutes’
A long-standing seller of legal documents is set to launch a venture selling simple packages of documents aimed at website developers and people running online businesses.
Slater & Gordon completes Pannone acquisition and hints at yet more to come
Slater & Gordon has become “one of the UK’s largest general law firms” after completing the acquisition of Manchester-based Pannone on Friday – and indicated that it has not finished buying up practices.
Hires round-up: Competition Commission director joins LSB as Jordans makes first post-ABS hire
The focus of the Legal Services Board on competition in the legal market looks set to intensify after it appointed the inquiry director at the Competition Commission as its new strategy chief. It is one of several key appointments announced recently.
High Court untangles claim and counterclaim over law firm sale
The High Court has had to unpick the fall-out of the sale of a law firm, with the seller claiming unpaid purchase money and the buyer arguing that the failure to disclose potential legal action against the firm led to sharp increases in the cost of its indemnity insurance.
Law firm accepts digital currency as payment (but continues to invoice in sterling)
A London media law firm has become what is believed to be the UK’s first legal practice to accept the virtual currency bitcoin in payment for its services.
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.
