Latest news
Co-op accuses solicitors of hiding conveyancing charges in small print
Co-operative Legal Services has accused some solicitors of hiding extra charges in the small print of their quotes. The warning to consumers is the first sign of an aggressive push now it has its ABS licence.
ABSs stimulating a surge in the Anglo-Scottish urge to merge, say experts
The recent spate of Anglo-Scottish mergers will not be the last as Scotland gears up for its own alternative business structure regime going live, it has been predicted. There has been a “surge in M&A activity in the Scottish legal market”.
Revealed: new “bias” concern ramps up Bar disciplinary controversy
The controversy brewing over faulty appointments to Bar disciplinary panels – and the impact this could have on the decisions they took over recent years – has taken a new turn, Legal Futures can reveal.
News in brief: Quindell targets CMC aggregation, “charitable referral fees”, solicitor ad wins TV award
Our regular round-up of news snippets features another acquisition by ABS-in-waiting Quindell Portfolio, a solicitor’s TV ad winning a Royal Television Society award, a firm donating referral fees to charity, and ABS compensation fund arrangements.
Exclusive: mid-market private equity house targets law firm investment
Mid-market private equity business August Equity has become the latest to outline its intention to invest in the legal market, Legal Futures can reveal. It typically invests between £10m and £30m in equity.
Consumer panel calls for five-fold increase in LeO’s compensation limit to £150,000
The current limit of compensation that the Legal Ombudsman can award complainants should increase five-fold to £150,000, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has recommended. It also called for abolition of the two ‘free’ complaints every firm/lawyer is allowed each year without incurring a case fee.
Law firms need to wake up to importance of apps, urges report
Many law firms have failed to ensure their websites can be read by mobile devices, while others have produced “horrendous” applications (apps) for smartphones in their rush to be seen at the cutting edge of technology, a report has claimed.
Twitter becoming key referral source for solicitors, says research
There has been a massive increase in people using Twitter to ask for recommendations of professional service providers in the last two years, with solicitors one of the most in demand, according to research conducted for Orange Business.
Yourfirm.law on the horizon as Internet body seeks radical expansion of domains
Six businesses – including a law firm – are battling for control of a new .law domain that is set to become available as the body that co-ordinates Internet addresses opens up the market radically. There is also competition for the generic top-level domains (gTLDs) .lawyer and .legal.
SRA: referral fee ban could drive many firms out of business – and may not even stop dodgy claims
The impending ban on referral fees in personal injury could result in a “steep increase” in the number of financial failures amongst small law firms – but may not actually discourage spurious claims – the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned.
Blog
How unstoppable AI is reshaping UK legal practice
At a time when most technology innovation still flows from the US and China, UK lawtech is attracting growing international attention and capital.
Modern vehicles: new injury profiles and new legal challenges
As the number of electric vehicles on UK roads continues to grow year-on-year, it is important to address the risks that come with their increased adoption.
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.
