Latest news
Solicitors launch self-help divorce tool
A new self-help divorce and separation tool, created by two solicitors formerly at City firm Withers, is aiming to help clients with no or limited budgets for legal advice.
Solicitor who lied about working for firm struck off
A solicitor who dishonestly misled his client, the court and opposing solicitors into thinking he was working at a law firm, when he was not, has been struck off.
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.
Blog
Regulate sole practices on evidence, not turnover
For a sole practice, the SRA’s plan that I cannot hold a compliance role if my firm has more than £600,000 of turnover is not a measure of risk. It is a ceiling on growth.
Is Google becoming pay-to-play for law firms?
For years, law firms have been told that SEO is the long-term alternative to paying for every click. That principle hasn’t disappeared but search results have changed significantly.
Material information and the case for intelligent client onboarding
Upfront information means work traditionally undertaken after an offer is accepted will need to happen earlier. And that fundamentally changes the role of client onboarding.
Reports
Associates
