Latest news
Quindell: no reason for share price plummet
AIM-listed alternative business structure Quindell Portfolio has been forced to issue a statement that it knows of “no valid reason” for the sudden 45% fall in its share price. It was trading at 13.25p at the end of last week, but since issuing its 2012 results on Tuesday, the price had fallen to 7.34p.
To be an ABS, or not to be: Shakespeares becomes one of largest firms to gain licence
National firm Shakespeares has become one of the largest law firms to date to become an alternative business structure. The ambitious firm, led by chief executive Paul Wilson, has been on the acquisition trail in the last five years, with six mergers.
Number of CLC-regulated ABSs reaches 35
The number of alternative business structures approved by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has risen to 35 in recent weeks, but several of the new licensees have branded the process as “unnecessary” and delivering “no benefit” to their businesses.
PI diversification continues as Antony Hodari snaps up Tandem Law
North-west firm Antony Hodari has purchased litigation specialist Tandem Law in further evidence of personal injury practices diversifying in the wake of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 coming into force.
Slater & Gordon to stump up £23m for triple acquisition
Slater & Gordon (S&G) is paying around £23m for its triple law firm acquisition, with more deals likely over the next 18 months, it has emerged. It said successful integration of the three will make a “significant contribution to the financial performance of S&G’s UK operations”.
SRA: we expect more large law firms to go under
More large law firms are expected to fail over next few years and the risk of theft of client funds is rising, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned. It has also speculated that in future indemnity insurance or even policies purchased by clients may need to cover the cost of intervening in firms.
Slater & Gordon makes its personal injury play with trio of acquisitions
Slater & Gordon has today made its move to become a dominant player in the consumer legal market – and particularly personal injury (PI) – by announcing deals to acquire national firm Simpson Millar, Liverpool-based Goodmans Law and the PI practice of Cambridge’s Taylor Vinters.
ABS Quindell posts 900% increase in turnover and profit
The massive acquisition programme of alternative business structure Quindell Portfolio plc – including three law firms – resulted in a 900% increase in turnover and profit in 2012, the company’s preliminary annual results have shown.
ABS acquires conveyancing firm to continue diversification strategy away from PI
Alternative business structure MTA Solicitors is continuing its move to diversify and expand its business beyond personal injury after acquiring volume property practice Solex Legal Services, Legal Futures can reveal.
Forget the City – work-life balance is more of a problem for crime lawyers
Crime lawyers have by far the worst work-life balance amongst all lawyers and the pressure on them risks deterring the next generation, according to new research. Criminal solicitors are almost three times more likely to move jobs because of anti-social hours than others.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
