Latest news
Here come the big boys – PwC gains ABS licence
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has become the first of the ‘big four’ accountants to become an alternative business structure (ABS), it announced today. The move allows it to become the owner of, and investor in, PwC Legal.
Direct Line secures ABS licence as rival insurer wins major contract for legal services arm
Direct Line’s new alternative business structure is set to launch on 3 March after receiving its alternative business structure licence, the insurer announced today. Meanwhile, BGL Group – the first insurance company to buy a law firm – has revealed a major client win.
Jordans’ ABS will “help, and not compete, with company’s law firm clients”
The alternative business structure (ABS) set up by Jordans – the company best known for its company formation services and legal textbooks – is looking to work with its existing law firm clients as an outsourcer, not compete with them, its CEO emphasised this week.
New Bar Council chief hits out at LSB independence investigation
The Legal Services Board made “a mountain out of a molehill” with its investigation into Bar Council interference with its independent regulator, the new chairman of the Bar has claimed.
The future of working in law: ‘agile’ lawyers, entrepreneurs and smaller firms
The legal profession is poised on the brink of an employment revolution that will unleash a “pent-up productivity” which will bring it into line with other industries, a report has claimed.
Will-writing body set for rule change after report questions value of pre-paid probate plans
The Society of Will Writers is set to adopt a code of conduct change that will prevent its members from taking advance payments for acting in the administration of a client’s estate after research found few benefits for consumers.
QualitySolicitors’ investor eyes further acquisitions and larger network
The private equity firm behind QualitySolicitors (QS) is eyeing up further acquisitions in the legal market and also thinks the network can quadruple in size, we can reveal. Further, QS is putting the days of headline-grabbing advertisements in primetime television slots behind it.
Leading PI firm increases upfront payment to clients to £2,000
High-profile personal injury law firm Hampson Hughes has defied widespread concern about the use of inducements to attract clients by upping the amount it offers from £1,500 to £2,000.
Lawyers and regulators reject LSB plan to direct future of education and training
Responses to the Legal Services Board’s (LSB) legal education and training framework have revealed broad opposition to its proposal to invoke statutory powers to ensure frontline regulators fall into line behind the LSB’s vision.
SRA faces ‘timebomb’ of risk from foreign lawyers, says Italian who learnt from rule breaches
An Italian lawyer has warned of a ‘timebomb’ of regulatory risk among foreign lawyers practising in England and Wales, and urged European law firms to ensure they understood what was required to comply with conduct rules.
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.
