Latest news
Grant shuffled out as PM names ex-City solicitor as new justice minister
Prime Minister David Cameron has appointed solicitor Shailesh Vara as a junior minister at the Ministry of Justice, replacing Helen Grant. Ms Grant has been moved sideways to the Department of Culture, Media and Sports after just a year in post.
Axiom chief urges more and faster change in legal market
The speed and scale of change in the legal market – despite innovations such as alternative business structures – do not match its size, the founder of pioneering business Axiom has claimed. Mark Harris suggested that this was in part down to lawyers’ reluctance to fail.
Grayling unveils plan for first UK Global Law Summit
The first ever UK Global Law Summit – an event bringing together the government, legal professional bodies and business – will take place in 2015, the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, justice secretary Chris Grayling has announced.
First4lawyers unveils £10m advertising campaign
Leading claims management company First4lawyers yesterday launched a £10m year-long marketing campaign with a new television commercial featuring tennis player-turned-commentator Andrew Castle.
BSB opens up public access to baby barristers
Junior barristers with less than three years’ practising experience can now undertake public access work. Existing public access barristers will also have up to two years to undertake additional top-up training or cease to conduct public access work.
Indemnity insurance meltdown fails to materialise
Predictions of a professional indemnity insurance apocalypse appear to have been well wide of the mark, with just 69 firms so far notifying the Solicitors Regulation Authority that they have triggered the new extended indemnity period.
“You want a quote? Byron or Shakespeare?” – how law firms fail to convert telephone enquiries
Law firms are suffering from a “nationwide epidemic of missed opportunities” because of the way they deal with telephone enquiries, new mystery shopping research has claimed. In 97% of calls, the handler failed to ask if the caller wanted to go ahead or make an appointment.
Criminal legal aid lawyers mull action as they vent fury over cuts
A high-powered meeting of lawyers opposed to impending criminal legal aid cuts ended on Tuesday night without agreement on a date for action, despite strong support in the hall for a vote on it. There is also a bid to call an SGM of the Law Society for a vote of no-confidence in its leadership.
Exclusive: the alternative to solicitors that’s become an alternative business structure
An eviction business that was originally set up as an alternative to solicitors has now become an alternative business structure (ABS) regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to help it stand out against unregulated competition.
Contracts site hopes overseas expansion will take it to premier league
A website that connects individuals and small businesses with a panel of solicitors who review contracts for a fixed fee, has set up in the US and Canada and plans to expand into the rest of Europe.
Blog
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.
The power of participation for trainees and apprentices
It’s important as a trainee or an apprentice to get involved in the life of your firm – even under the pressure of discovering how to navigate professional life and now the demands of the SQE.
