Latest news
Big firms could cut lawyer numbers as profitability “continues to fall”
The profitability of global law firms has continued to decline against a background of “falling demand and surging expenses”, with jobs and equity partner payouts at risk if the trend continues.
Law firms under “active investigation” for flouting sanctions regime
A small number of law firms are being investigated for either actively or negligently breaching sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it emerged yesterday.
SRA on lookout for solicitors “borrowing” from client money to pay bills
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is braced for solicitors looking to borrow from client account to help pay their bills in the face of a worsening economy, its chief executive said yesterday.
Burnett: “I can’t magic up lawyers to help reduce Crown Court backlog”
It will be “very difficult” for the Crown Court to achieve the government’s target of reducing the backlog to 53,000 cases by 2025, the Lord Chief Justice has warned MPs.
Half of expert witnesses would reject “highly contentious” cases
Half of expert witnesses would refuse to act in “highly contentious” matters, such as those involving transgender issues, a survey has found.
Birss: Why can’t costs budgets be based on solicitors’ estimates?
The estimates solicitors are required by their professional rules to give to clients should form the basis of costs budgets, the deputy head of civil justice has argued.
Mid-sized commercial firms “need to shout” about their tech offering
Mid-sized commercial law firms need to shout more about how they use technology to help clients, according to a survey that found most say “nothing at all publicly” about it.
LSB promises regulators “greater autonomy” in performance regime
The Legal Services Board has promised the frontline legal regulators “greater autonomy” in its the framework it will use to assess regulators’ progress.
Finnish contract platform launches in the UK
A Finnish contract automation service that aims to be “the most user-friendly legal services platform on the planet” has launched in the UK.
Culture-focused multi-disciplinary practice absorbs Yorkshire law firm
An innovative multi-disciplinary practice focused on the cultural, creative and not-for-profit sectors has expanded its range of legal services by absorbing a North Yorkshire law firm.
Blog
The growing importance of higher limits in personal ATE
While the personal litigation market is undergoing a period of significant change as claims become more complex, much of the ATE insurance market has remained relatively static.
The profession can play a greater role in improving access to justice
In this, the third blog of my series, I focus on what lawyers in the UK can do to improve access to justice through greater professional stewardship.
Does AI work for conveyancers? We asked those on the front line
What is the view on AI from conveyancers themselves? Based on a Dye & Durham’s roundtable discussion on AI, the answer is: it depends.
Reports
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