Latest news
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.
First the Ashes, now the solicitors’ PII market – Aussie insurer grabs biggest share
QBE has taken over as the leading insurer of solicitors, figures released yesterday by the Solicitors Regulation Authority have revealed. Between QBE Insurance (Europe) Ltd and two Lloyd’s syndicates, the Australian-based insurer secured 18.2% of the premiums paid.
Law firm’s online legal document service bids to take on US-based giants
An English law firm yesterday launched a home-grown online documents service that it claimed is the first product with the potential to rival those from the US legal document processing giants Rocket Lawyer and Legal Zoom.
High Court slams council for “act of retaliation” against PI law firm which sued it
A local authority’s refusal to offer a law firm tenant a new lease was “an act of retaliation, pure and simple”, to punish the firm for bringing personal injury claims against it, the High Court found last week.
QASA registration dates extended again, but delay to wait for Jeffrey review ruled out
The first registration deadline for the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) has been extended again, the Joint Advocacy Group announced today. However, it will not be delaying the scheme to await the outcome of the Jeffrey review of criminal advocacy.
Solicitors warned over “harsh” impact of impending LLP tax changes
The effects of the planned changes to the taxation of LLPs will be “far harsher than originally expected” and could put a significant strain on finances come April, solicitors have been warned.
Treasury tells HMRC to place greater focus on partnerships
Partnerships are “very much the poor relation” in the way they are handled by HM Revenue & Customs and indeed regarded by government”, a major Treasury review has found, with many feeling that HMRC sees them “as if they were exclusively avoidance vehicles”.
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,
