Latest news
Huge jumps in turnover and profits at Co-op Legal Services
Pioneering alternative business structure Co-operative Legal Services saw a major year of growth in 2023, with revenue up nearly 48% to £68m and profits leaping 260% from £8m to £21m.
Man denied fair trial after ditching counsel has conviction quashed
The Court of Appeal has quashed the conviction of a man who dispensed with counsel on the second day of trial after finding he was then denied a fair hearing.
Law Society “risking revolt by members” over conveyancing forms
The Law Society’s failure to consult solicitors on key changes to conveyancing practice, most recently the revised TA6 form, risks a “revolt” by members, it has been warned.
Law firm owner struck off for misleading High Court over JRs
A law firm owner who misled the High Court over the conduct of failed judicial reviews in immigration cases and tried to shift some of the blame on to a paralegal has been struck off.
Conveyancing fees down a fifth since stamp duty holiday
Conveyancing fees are down by over a fifth in real terms from the peaks seen during the stamp duty holiday as the market has cooled, according to new research.
Top litigation funder uses astrophysicists to help cut loss rate
Burford Capital, the world’s largest litigation funder, is using astrophysicists to help cut its loss rate from double figures to 8%, the company’s chief executive has revealed.
Big lenders invest £10m in blockchain property network
The three biggest mortgage lenders in the UK – Lloyds, Nationwide and NatWest – and property website Rightmove, have invested £10m in the digital property transaction business Coadjute.
Tribunal throws out solicitor’s claim based on sale of practice
An employment tribunal has struck out a solicitor’s breach of contract claim based on an agreement to transfer his practice to another firm, which was then to employ him.
BSB will not investigate barrister over misgendering trans lawyers
The Bar Standards Board has decided not to investigate a gender-critical barrister who was accused of being transphobic by misgendering two trans lawyers.
Government to raise extra £35m after trimming list of rising court fees
The government has trimmed the number of court fees it will increase by 10% next month, reducing the likely revenue they will raise from £42m to £35m.
Blog
Santa’s Costa Living Crisis
It’s almost 25 December, so it must be time for the annual Christmas blog from Nigel Wallis, consultant solicitor at O’Connors Legal Services.
Five golden links for a caring Christmas and New Year
This time of year always sharpens thoughts about how we look after and support elderly clients and those, elderly or otherwise, who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.
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.
