Latest news
Lawyers Online relaunch targets referrals for panel firms
A network of 200 law firms which started life as an internet service provider for lawyers has re-launched as the latest referral website for legal services. Lawyers Online went ‘live’ last Friday, and has immediately set itself up in direct competition with existing marketing collectives.
LeO bids to open doors to clients of unregulated legal services providers
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has today begun a debate over whether its remit should be widened to capture complaints against the 130,000 unregulated providers who deliver legal services. It has also raised the prospect of becoming the complaints body for a wide range of professionals.
City lawyers and accountants hit out at partnership tax reform plans
The government’s proposed attack on tax abuse by law firm LLPs and partnerships is “at odds” with its own aim to make the UK the global centre for the wealth management industry, City lawyers have claimed.
PE-fuelled Knights on the acquisition trail after snapping up Chester office
Knights Solicitors – the Staffordshire law firm backed by former Dragon James Caan – has pledged to make further acquisitions after buying the Chester office of Hill Dickinson.
QASA heads for launch after LSB gives final green light
There is “sufficient consistency of evidence and concern” about the standard of criminal advocacy to warrant the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA), the Legal Services Board concluded today.
Survey: ABSs will be better for clients than for the future of traditional law firms
Alternative business structures may be bad for traditional law firms, but they will have a positive impact on clients, a snapshot survey of small firms has found. This is despite the belief that new entrants will not provide the same quality or ethical standards as traditional practices.
Bonuses for all as niche firm spreads the wealth
A litigation boutique which specialises in complex banking and financial cases is sharing its first year profits with all staff. City firm Signature Litigation set up in 2012 with an innovative profit-sharing scheme promising “transparency” on the firm’s financials from the outset.
Leading legal expenses insurer sets up an ABS
Well-known legal expenses insurer ULR Additions has won approval to set up an alternative business structure. However, the license from the Solicitors Regulation Authority restricts the work LEI Legal Services Ltd can undertake.
Legal Services Board “fears legal challenge” over Legal Ombudsman compromise
The Legal Services Board fears a successful legal challenge should it accept the compromise aimed at resolving the impasse over moving the handling of complaints about claims management companies to the Legal Ombudsman, Legal Futures has learned.
Future of cab-rank rule still in question despite approval of new code of conduct for barristers
The future of the cab-rank rule is still up for debate despite approval of the new Bar Standards Board code of conduct, which includes it, the Legal Services Board has warned. The BSB is also set to raise the issue of a cab-rank rule for solicitors, it has emerged.
Blog
The best legal AI doesn’t replace rules-based engines – it completes them
There is a belief circulating in legal tech that AI can solve everything – that LLMs are universally superior to what came before. It is not always true, however.
Small steps, big impact: how SME law firms are making legal tech work
For SME law firms, the priority is turning the potential of tech into measurable impact: success is driven not just by the technology, but by how firms approach planning and implementation.
Why housing disrepair claims against councils have leapt by nearly 400%
Housing disrepair claims against councils have surged dramatically in recent years, with some areas reporting increases approaching a staggering 400%.
