Latest news
Probe into growth of ‘professional’ McKenzie Friends
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has begun an investigation into the emergence of ‘professional’ McKenzie Friends who charge litigants in person for their services, it has emerged.
BSB considers conduct of litigation “high risk” for barristers
The Bar Standards Board considers barristers conducting litigation a high-risk activity that could result in significant supervision costs and require a hike in practising certificate fees, it has emerged.
Riverview teams up with Legal OnRamp to tackle global bank challenge
Riverview Law has announced a collaboration with US technology pioneer Legal OnRamp to offer a service that can cope with massive regulatory burdens imposed on financial institutions to avoid a repeat of the 2008 banking crisis.
LeO fights off first JR as it warns over dangers of ‘no win, no fee’
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has fought off the first judicial review to reach court, brought by a former solicitor unhappy that it had ordered his bill to be slashed. The case, involving a CFA, comes as LeO issues a report outlining problems caused by ‘no win, no fee’ deals.
Leeds firm breaks new ground with trade union ABS
Morrish Solicitors has become the first law firm to take external investment from a trade union. The Leeds practice has formed an alternative business structure with its client, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association.
Revealed: LegalZoom soft-launches in UK as Rocket Lawyer outlines plans for major growth
Online giant LegalZoom – said to be the best-known legal brand in America – has soft-launched its UK service with the aim of giving consumers and small businesses “a smarter way to engage with a lawyer”, Legal Futures can reveal.
Legal executives to enjoy same rights as solicitors
Chartered legal executives are set to have full parity with solicitors after the Legal Services Board gave them the right to practise litigation and advocacy independently.
Bar Council and BSB agree protocol to strengthen regulatory independence
The Bar Council and Bar Standards Board have published a protocol for ensuring the latter’s regulatory independence, fulfilling undertakings the pair gave to the Legal Services Board.
Latest firm to go under after failing to find insurance costs 34 jobs
The toll of firms failing to renew professional indemnity insurance continues to rise, with another 34 people losing their jobs after home counties firm Hilliers HRW LLP called in administrators.
Personal injury ABS makes marketing for other professionals its long-term goal
A sole practitioner has joined forces with a claims management and marketing company to form an alternative business structure with the eventual goal of providing marketing for a range of professionals, including lawyers and accountants.
Blog
Charting a new course for publicly funded legal services
The current Legal Aid Agency model is inherently flawed and it goes beyond mere data breaches – it cannot innovatively respond to increasing challenges.
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.
