Latest news
Law Society takes equity stake in compliance software business
The Law Society has taken the unusual step of investing in a company set up by a non-lawyer law firm partner to sell a groundbreaking web-based risk and compliance software package for solicitors.
Oh yes – Direct Line set for ABS as it reveals £110m solicitor referral fee income since 2009
Insurance company Direct Line will shortly make an application to become an alternative business structure, with the referral fee ban set to choke off a source of income that has raised £110m over the past three and a half years, it has emerged.
LSB: current financial protection regime risks giving clients "false confidence"
Compensation arrangements for consumers involved in legal transactions that go wrong are outdated and need to be improved, the Legal Services Board has said in calling on its consumer panel to undertake research and provide advice on the issue.
PwC targets in-house counsel with “legal effectiveness” service
Big Four accountancy firm PwC has launched a new service aimed at helping in-house lawyers look at how they operate internally – and also manage their external legal advice. PwC has hired Stephen Allen, formerly director of innovation at City law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner, to head it.
Revealed: criminal Bar threatens JR over "unlawful and unworkable" advocacy scheme
The Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) is unlawful, unnecessary and unworkable and will be judicially reviewed if it goes ahead, criminal law barristers will warn this week in a response to the final consultation seen by this website.
Price tops list of reasons why GCs give law firms the boot
The biggest single reason general counsel are dropping law firms is price, according to a survey of top in-house lawyers at major global corporations. Lack of demand and quality of results are featured high up in the list.
SRA "hoodwinked" over financial services change, expert warns
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been “hoodwinked” into changing its rules on referrals to financial advisers and risks involving solicitors in the mis-selling of investment products, a former senior financial regulator has claimed.
Exclusive: small business adviser eyes law firm acquisitions as part of push into legal services
A company that currently provides small businesses with accountancy and HR advice is set to move into legal services, with an alternative business structure application and the acquisition of law firms likely, Legal Futures can reveal.
Wigster bids for 500-strong law firm panel after bringing in ex-Minster Law CEO to lead expansion
Legal comparison website Wigster.com has unveiled plans to increase its 100-strong law firm panel five-fold as it seeks to step up its presence in the market. Matthew Briggs, former CEO of Minster Law and Capita Insurance Services, has joined as a director to drive growth.
In brief: Law Society gives in over reaccreditation, QS in Barnardo’s will push and much more
Our regular news round-up covers the Law Society bowing to pressure over criminal litigation accreditation scheme plans, banks signing up to a new probate protocol, QualitySolicitors’ charitable partnership with Barnardo’s, the College of Law adding a Masters in Law to the LPC, an IP firm diversifying, and sluggish growth at the top firms.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
