Latest news
No more getting your clerk to do it – BSB bids to improve barristers’ diversity reporting
The Bar Standards Board is set to introduce a series of measures to improve diversity reporting among barristers after the vast majority refused to answer many of the questions posed about their backgrounds.
Fifth of law firms miss diversity data deadline
A fifth of law firms failed to meet last Friday’s deadline for submitting their diversity data reports to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Some 79% (8,396) firms successfully lodged their reports last week, “with many more in progress”, according to the SRA.
SRA imposes conditions on PwC and Direct Line’s ABS licences
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has hedged the award of alternative business structure (ABS) licences to accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers and insurer Direct Line Group with a host of conditions, it has emerged.
Gulf opens between profession and consumer groups over LSB lay chairs proposal
The Legal Services Board’s consultation on its plan to oblige frontline regulators to have lay chairs has met a barrage of opposition from regulators and lawyers, pitted against consumer advocates, which strongly backed the measure.
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.
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,
