Latest news
Cypriot construction consultancy becomes ABS for its international kudos
An international construction law consultancy has become an alternative business structure (ABS) in order to take advantage of the esteem in which English firms are held elsewhere in the world, in one of the more unusual ABSs seen to date.
Clifford Chance focuses on process as it trains all lawyers in ‘Continuous Improvement’ principles
Global giant Clifford Chance is rolling out firm-wide training in Continuous Improvement (CI) methodologies as it embraces the concept of law as a process. It has already reported increased efficiencies in several areas of operation.
SME legal advice website returns to crowdfunding for investment
An online legal service aimed at small businesses yesterday launched its second round of ‘crowdfunding’ in less than a year, while awaiting an alternative business structure (ABS) licence with a view to obtaining further equity.
STEP volunteers will writing code of practice to fill regulatory vacuum
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners members will have to abide by a code of practice when they write wills, part of an attempt by the society to fill the regulatory vacuum.
City solicitors struck off after private prosecution win High Court appeal
Two City solicitors struck off following a rare private prosecution before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal have won a High Court battle that gives them a second chance to fight the allegations against them.
Time to reform the Law Society council? Senior figure thinks it might be
The chairman of the body responsible for the make-up of the Law Society’s ruling council will today start the ball rolling on possible governance reforms amid concern over ever-falling interest among solicitors in who represents them.
Government rejects Low Commission call to make use of client account interest
The government has poured cold water on the use of interest on solicitors’ client accounts to fill the social welfare advice and support gap as recommended last week by the Low Commission.
Legal365 chief says city centre law shops are set to become reality
The long-awaited opening of Legal365’s first city centre law shop will take place this year, one of its architects has told Legal Futures. Legal365 is a joint venture between Yorkshire law firm Last Cawthra Feather and entrepreneur Ajaz Ahmed, the founder of Freeserve.
Diversity deadline looms for thousands of firms
More than 6,000 law firms have yet to submit their workforce diversity data to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the regulator warned yesterday. They now have less than three weeks until the 31 January deadline for reporting the data collected from partners and staff.
Papers reveal Bar intransigence over BSB independence row
The Legal Services Board was on the verge of issuing an unprecedented public censure of the Bar Council over its interference with the independence of the Bar Standards Board, new papers have revealed.
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.
