Latest news
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.
Crowd-funding investors queue up to back online legal advice service
An online legal service aimed at small businesses and “democratising the law” has almost completed its second round of ‘crowdfunding’, raising more than £100,000 in less than a month as it targets ambitious expansion.
ABS-owning insurers sign up to code on handling legal work for policyholders
Many of the big insurance companies that have set up alternative business structure (ABS) joint ventures have signed up to a new code of practice laying out how they can point policyholders who may have a personal injury claim towards their law firms.
From bad debts to bad mergers – SRA study pinpoints key features of firms in financial difficulty
A failure to pay debts – and the increasing willingness of creditors to pursue solicitors for their money – is the most common feature of law firms in financial difficulty, Solicitors Regulation Authority research has found.
Are judges and opposing parties targeting lawyers? Recent cases suggest they are
A string of recent cases indicate that judges may be increasingly tempted to remind solicitors of their duty to act impartially in litigation, in an era of alternative business structures (ABSs) where their loyalties might be tested, according to a leading criminal lawyer.
Slater & Gordon focuses on “consolidation” after acquisitions spree – but what about Simpson Millar?
Slater & Gordon is to concentrate on improving the performance of its UK operations, after an acquisitions spree that it claims has given it a 5% share of the claimant PI market. It remains unclear what progress is being made with the previously announced deal to buy Simpson Millar.
SRA: interventions due to dishonesty on the rise
The Solicitors Regulation Authority recorded a sharp rise in the number of interventions last year that involved suspected dishonesty, new figures have revealed. It also highlighted growing delays in cases going through the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Accountants say ABS enables them to monitor quality of clients’ legal work
A central London firm of accountants has set up an alternative business structure (ABS) as a means of keeping control of legal work that it previously referred to third party law firms.
LSB calls for 50-fold increase in SRA fining power
A consultation on a fresh attempt by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to increase its powers to fine law firms has closed with familiar battle lines drawn, with the Legal Services Board backing the move and the Law Society opposing it.
Blog
Small steps, big impact: how SME law firms are making legal tech work
For SME law firms, the priority is turning the potential of tech into measurable impact: success is driven not just by the technology, but by how firms approach planning and implementation.
Why housing disrepair claims against councils have leapt by nearly 400%
Housing disrepair claims against councils have surged dramatically in recent years, with some areas reporting increases approaching a staggering 400%.
Client accounts: Opportunity, obligation and the risks in between
The profitability gap between well-run firms and the rest is not primarily a function of size, location or practice area – it is a function of financial management.
