Latest news
SRA under fire for policing of referral fee ban and insurer/law firm ABSs
The Solicitors Regulation Authority came under fire this week for the way it is enforcing the referral fee ban, with its director of policy and strategy unable to tell solicitors how many investigations it has started since the ban came into force seven weeks ago.
Forget ABSs – AI, touchable holographs and telepresence robots “will transform the law”
Artificial intelligence will be in widespread use by tomorrow’s law businesses, serving clients who will be mobile users of “digital personal assistants” that use holographic displays and respond to the thoughts of their owners, according to futurologists.
Slater & Gordon chief urges firms to adopt employee ownership plans
Employee ownership of law firms is an opportunity to get the best young lawyers into early equity and minimise risk, according to Neil Kinsella, Slater & Gordon UK’s chief executive, as he outlined how the sector could respond to the changing legal landscape.
Exclusive: well-known PI firm unveils new post-LASPO ABS model
Well-known personal injury law firm Gorman Hamilton has launched a twin-track approach to life after LASPO, part of which has been to form an alternative business structure (ABS) in which a credit hire company has a minority stake.
Massive unmet legal need among small businesses, landmark research finds
Legal problems are costing small businesses in England and Wales £100bn a year, with fears over the cost of legal advice meaning they are far more likely to go it alone than seek help, authoritative new research from the Legal Services Board has found.
Underwood: Co-op and Quindell will fail as public turns against “big faceless institutions”
Big legal businesses such as Co-operative Legal Services and Quindell “will all fail”, according to leading alternative business structure (ABS) critic Kerry Underwood. However, he welcomed the possibilities opened up by external capital for existing legal practices.
Reform uncertainty forces new criminal law ABS to put external investment thoughts on hold
Plans to grow a criminal legal aid firm that has just received its alternative business structure licence – potentially through external investment – are on hold pending the outcome of the government’s current reform plans, according to its head of legal.
Fixed fees play major role in client satisfaction, survey finds
The use of fixed fees in family, probate and housing cases has risen significantly, leading to far higher rates of client satisfaction than when they pay by the hour, according to a major consumer survey.
Newly listed Australian law firm plans to follow Slater & Gordon to UK
The newest listed law firm in Australia – and the third biggest personal injury practice in the country – is eyeing up an acquisition in the UK, it has emerged. The fast-growing Shine Lawyers listed last week and saw its share price instantly increase by a half.
Solicitors’ support for OFR crashes
A Law Society survey finding that a growing number of senior solicitors think outcome-focused regulation places too heavy a burden on firms has drawn a rapid rebuttal from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Blog
Santa’s Costa Living Crisis
It’s almost 25 December, so it must be time for the annual Christmas blog from Nigel Wallis, consultant solicitor at O’Connors Legal Services.
Five golden links for a caring Christmas and New Year
This time of year always sharpens thoughts about how we look after and support elderly clients and those, elderly or otherwise, who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
