Latest news
Integration and cash flow problems brought down law firm consolidator
The administrators’ report into the collapse in June of the Law Direct group has highlighted how hard it is to build a law firm consolidator, as problems with integration led to cash flow difficulties.
Axiom Ince stops taking new instructions as break-up looms
The end appears nigh for Axiom Ince, with the law firm admitting that it has stopped taking new instructions and will “likely be unable to continue in its current format”.
CJC presses ahead with radical reform plans for pre-action protocols
The Civil Justice Council has made only minor changes to proposals for radical reform of pre-action protocols in the first part of a final report on the issue.
Partner lied to new firm about drink-driving convictions
A solicitor who lied to Keystone Law about drink-drive convictions as well as investigations into his conduct when he joined the listed law firm has been struck off.
CIC secures lottery funding for child trust fund legal advice pilot
A specialist community interest company set up by a solicitor in Cardiff has been awarded National Lottery funding to provide free advice to families needing help accessing child trust funds.
Solicitor failed to spot conflict in property deals for vulnerable client
A solicitor failed to spot a conflict of interest when a vulnerable client’s attorneys bought five properties using her money but gave themselves a 50% ownership stake in each.
SRA “must look at how regulation can promote access to justice”
The SRA must explore how its work “can be used to enhance and promote access to justice”, such as by ensuring there are enough social welfare lawyers, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has said.
County court should have adjourned trial after defendant got Covid
A judge should have adjourned a trial after the defendant reported symptoms of Covid, the High Court has ruled. He was wrong to criticise the defendant for failing to take a lateral flow test.
Suspended solicitor points finger at SRA over “administrative error”
A solicitor suspended for practising without insurance has blamed an admitted “administrative error” by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for triggering the events which led to it.
Scottish court refuses costs recovery because claimant used English firm
A woman who lives in Scotland but chose to instruct an English law firm to conduct her personal injury case, using a Scottish law firm as agents, cannot recover the English firm’s fees.
Blog
From ‘year zero’ to £6.5m – how a law firm found its second life
In 2018, I hit what I call ‘year zero’. On paper, Olliers Solicitors was a top-tier criminal defence firm but beneath the surface, I could see we were at a crossroads.
Linklaters’ chief growth officer takes the ‘blank sheet’ challenge
In the third and final part of this series, Lucy Murphy, chief growth officer at magic circle firm Linklaters, outlines her vision for the law firm of the future.
The ‘blank sheet’ challenge, part 2 – what would you do differently?
In the second part of this blog series, Shainul Kassam, managing director of small London firm Fortune Law, sets out how she would set up a law firm now.
