Latest news
Mayson moves on
University College London has scored a major coup by attracting Professor Stephen Mayson to join as an honorary professor in law. Previously head of the University of Law’s Legal Services Institute, he will be attached to the Centre for Ethics and Law.
SRA should reveal progress of malpractice investigations, says FoI adjudicator
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is keeping informants who allege malpractice by solicitors in the dark about the progress of their complaint, two years after the Law Society’s own freedom of information adjudicator urged that the problem should be addressed.
Report urges firms to swap ‘growth for growth’s sake’ with new ways of delivering legal services
Law firms need to re-examine their traditional business models and embrace change in how legal services are delivered if they are to survive, new research has argued. It said they need to build a better boat, not a bigger one.
Low Commission eyes up client account interest to help prime new national legal fund
The government was yesterday urged to take a ‘no holds barred’ approach to obtaining support and funds for overhauling social welfare legal support, including pro bono help from law students and cash from interest on solicitors’ client accounts.
PI firm adds ABS licence in dash for “spectacular” growth
A Lancashire personal injury firm that has grown from four to 100 staff in under four years and its turnover to £4.5m, has acquired an alternative business structure licence as part of ambitious growth plans.
Criminal solicitors’ chief tells ‘scab’ firms to “hang their heads in shame”
The chairman of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association has hit out at law firms that sought to take advantage of their rivals’ absence from court during Monday’s morning of action against the legal aid cuts.
Referral fees at root of junior barristers’ woes, says Bar Council
An increasing tendency among solicitors to pay referral fees to each other and to use solicitor-advocates is diverting work away from junior barristers, ultimately threatening the quality of the judiciary, according to the Bar Council.
SRA tells uninsured firms to “come clean”
It is unclear how many of the 116 firms that were meant to have shut down last week for failing to secure professional indemnity insurance have actually done so, the Solicitors Regulation Authority admitted yesterday.
Bullying at work on the rise, says lawyer support charity
Almost one in five lawyers complaining of stress are being bullied in the workplace, according to the latest statistics from the legal support charity LawCare, which also showed a large year-on-year increase in callers overall.
LegalZoom eyes acquisitions after taking major private equity investment
LegalZoom – the online US legal services business that recently launched in the UK – has strengthened its financial position by selling a large chunk of the business to leading European private equity company Permira.
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.
