Latest news
Law Society to be spared annual internal governance check – because it is bound to fail
The Law Society will not be required to certify its compliance with the rules on internal governance because it is bound to fail the test, the Legal Services Board has decided. The board said the new governance arrangements are “somewhat fragile”.
“More for less”, liberalisation and technology: Susskind lays out vision of the future
The Legal Services Act will play a role in transforming the legal market around the world, with English lawyers well placed to take advantage as a result, Professor Richard Susskind predicted last week. He also gave a preview of his new book – Tomorrow’s lawyers: An introduction to your future.
Freeserve founder says it will take non-lawyers to bring innovation to “hated” legal market
Lawyers are “in denial about what customers hate about law firms” and it will take entrepreneurs from outside the profession to deliver the wholesale change to the business model that is required, the founder of Freeserve claimed last week.
BSB wins argument over case for entity regulation
The Bar Standards Board narrowly defeated a motion proposed by a former Bar chairman that its plans for entity regulation are unhelpful to the justice system, in a debate held in London last week.
Here come the accountants – ICAEW launches ABS regulator bid
Around 100 firms of accountants are expected to become alternative business structures, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales said today as it unveiled its draft application to become a regulator of legal work.
Referral fee ban will not catch solicitors’ collective marketing schemes, Djanogly affirms
Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly has affirmed the government’s belief that the ban on referral fees will not catch solicitors’ collective marketing schemes, despite continuing concerns that the legislation does exactly that.
Ten brokers and nine insurers sign up to Law Society’s prototype standard PII proposal form
Ten brokers and nine professional indemnity insurers have agreed to use the Law Society’s prototype standard application form. The eventual aim is to allow solicitors to fill out a single PII proposal form that will be accepted by all.
‘New generation’ comparison website receives investment backing for full launch
CompareLegalCosts.com, the ‘new generation’ comparison website that requires participating law firms and barristers to offer fixed fees, has announced a £500,000 investment in the full launch of the service next month.
County court advocacy specialists become latest ABS
A law firm that specialises in providing advocacy services in every county court across the country yesterday became the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s eighth alternative business structure.
Welsh government offers City law firms incentives to open back-office operations in Cardiff
Wales will today make its pitch as a new onshore venue where City law firms can cut their costs by locating back-office operations. Cardiff recently became the UK’s first and only dedicated financial and professional services enterprise zone.
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.
