Latest news
SRA: firms will have to decide for themselves if they are breaching referral fee ban
It will be for law firms to work out if they are complying with the ban on referral fees in personal injury cases, with the law drafted in such a way to make some collective marketing schemes “vulnerable to being in breach”, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned.
Djanogly out as criminal law barrister and family law solicitor join MoJ
A criminal law barrister and family law solicitor have joined the junior ranks of the Ministry of Justice, while Jonathan Djanogly has been forced to return to the back benches following yesterday’s reshuffle.
SRA set to press ahead with leniency scheme for law firm whistleblowers
The introduction of a leniency scheme for those who reveal misconduct at law firms and alternative business structures will today be debated by the board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Co-operation could result in no action taking against the potential witness over their own wrongdoing.
ABS-in-waiting posts strong results as Admiral continues to consider its options
Prospective alternative business structure Quindell Portfolio plc – whose takeover of Liverpool law firm Silverbeck Rymer is awaiting approval – has more than £500m worth of new contracts under discussion, it revealed today.
SRA supervision reduces law firm risk, report on pilot finds
A report on the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s pilot on supervision of low and medium-risk firms has concluded that the regulatory risks posed by participating firms fell during the period of supervision. Feedback from the firms involved was “overwhelmingly positive”.
Making alternative business structures work
Lawrence Cook, director of marketing and business development at Thesis Asset Management – which was once owned by and is still linked to south-east law firm Thomas Eggar – outlines their experience of joint ventures with solicitors.
Here come the ‘Super Lawyers’ as US rating service launches in UK
Global publishing giant Thomson Reuters has launched a London-based pilot of its US Super Lawyers attorney-rating service covering solicitors, the first foreign venture of its kind after more than 20 years in operation.
Todd calls for last stand against QASA
The chairman of the Bar Council has called for a last stand against several “objectionable” elements of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates or else they will form part of similar schemes planned for all areas of legal practice.
Public sector ABS eyes external investment to expand
A specialist public sector law firm is eyeing up external investment so as to fund expansion, as well as strategic partnerships with others to secure market share, after becoming the newest alternative business structure.
Visitors throw out conviction of pioneering barrister for conducting litigation
The first barrister to become a partner in a legal disciplinary practice has overturned a disciplinary tribunal ruling that she conducted litigation in breach of the Bar’s code of conduct, with both the tribunal and the Bar Standards Board coming in for criticism.
Blog
When AI becomes a line on the client’s bill
On 23 June, Legora changed how it charges. The platform announced that its most capable product was moving away from a flat per-seat licence fee to consumption-based pricing
Which legal AI will still matter in 12 months?
Four years ago, when senior partners asked me which legal AI they should buy, I would have walked them through a vendor comparison. Now I tell them the question is wrong.
Supreme Court redraws line between member and employee in LLPs
For anyone advising professional services firms on LLP structuring, and of course for those in LLPs themselves, last week’s Supreme Court ruling is an essential read.
