Latest news
Courts not “insurers of solicitors” in divorce cases where costs overrun
It is not the role of courts to act as “insurers of solicitors” who “overshoot, let alone dramatically overshoot” legal services payment orders, a Family Court judge has said.
Firm rejects High Court criticism of partners’ “unreliable” evidence
Anglo-Scottish firm Shepherd & Wedderburn has rejected criticism made by a High Court judge of its managing partner and a litigation partner.
Litigation funder records 261% return on Comet liquidator case
A listed litigation funder has announced a £12m profit on a £4.5m investment in the litigation that followed the collapse of electronics retailer Comet.
Co-op to offer wills through Amazon as it unveils soaring finances
Co-operative Legal Services recorded a 19% increase in revenue and 60% rise in profit in 2022 as it became the first law firm to strike a deal to offer services through Amazon.
Law firm’s negligent advice to football club owner caused no loss
A law firm advising on a dispute over the sale of Sheffield United FC was negligent, including in failing to advise that it had an own-client conflict, the High Court has ruled.
Partner suspended for trying to “trick” farmer out of tenancy
A partner in a large Midlands law firm, who tried to “trick” an elderly farmer out of part of his protected tenancy in the way he sent notices to quit, has been suspended for a year.
Employee ownership specialists become employee owned
A law firm specialising in employee ownership, which has advised other law firms on setting up employee ownership trusts, has itself become 100% owned by its employees.
Home sellers “would pay more for faster conveyancing”
Almost nine in 10 vendors would pay more to have a faster conveyancing process, new research has revealed. as we report too on the latest BASPI iteration and proptech investment.
High Court: Solicitor did not “condone” partner’s £16m fraud
The insurer of London law firm Jirehouse – whose founder was jailed last year for fraud – has failed its ongoing bid to exclude liability for £6m in losses suffered by a client.
Solicitor who misled clients over LPA forms is struck off
A solicitor who told clients that the Office of the Public Guardian was to blame for what were actually her own errors in registering lasting powers of attorney has been struck off.
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.
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