Latest news
Top firms turn backs on stock market listing and private equity cash
The UK’s top law firms have become increasingly sceptical about listing on the stock market or taking on private equity investment, according to new research.
Accusations fly as CBA deal shatters legal aid unity
Civil war broke out among criminal defence lawyers yesterday in the wake of a deal struck between the government and the Criminal Bar Association. Solicitors accused the Bar’s leadership of using “the unity of the profession to pursue self-interest”.
QASA challenge on its last legs
The legal challenge to the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) is nearly at an end after the Court of Appeal refused permission to appeal the High Court decision that rejected it.
Here come the accountants, part 2: EY to enter legal market
The prospect of the ‘big four’ accountants challenging the City status quo moved up another notch today after EY hired a senior lawyer to build a “legal capability” in the UK.
Banks agree £60m funding facility to fuel “substantial” growth at Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell has signalled its intention to grow “substantially” in the coming years after securing a £60m four-year finance package with three major UK banks. The deal also includes a £30m ‘accordion’ facility for further finance if required for a big transaction.
Natwest survey: confidence and profits rise but firms must "spend more to make more"
Profits were up last year and confidence is buoyant for the coming year among small and medium-sized law firms, according to a major benchmarking survey. Nine out of 10 firms surveyed thought profits would increase during 2014.
Linder Myers refinancing avoids administration
Manchester firm Linder Myers has avoided administration by completing a deal which will see the firm refinance its debts and appoint a chief executive to lead the practice.
QASA's future on knife edge as advocates' boycott holds
A tiny number of criminal advocates has so far signed up to the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA), suggesting a profession-wide boycott of the scheme is holding.
LexisNexis awarded ABS licence to launch compliance service
LexisNexis UK has been licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as an alternative business structure (ABS) to launch a compliance business combining content, technology and advisory services.
BT legal chief warns firms of new entrant threat as its ABS eyes expansion
There is no reason why you need a law firm to carry out many of the tasks that traditional firms have previously handled, the group general counsel of BT has warned. Dan Fitz also revealed that it was looking to expand the work handled by BT Law, the company’s ABS.
Blog
Preparing people for the pace of technological change
While technology often dominates the conversation, I believe the most important challenge facing law firms is not adopting new tools – it is preparing people to adapt alongside them.
Reorientation in the AI era must begin with the client
Much of the discussion about AI in the legal industry focuses on technology: which tools to adopt and which tasks might get automated. But this misses the deeper story.
Awaab’s Law phase 2: New hazards council tenants can now claim for
The conversation on housing disrepair is moving beyond damp and mould alone. With the rollout of phase 2 of Awaab’s Law, the scope of issues covered is expanding significantly,
