Latest news
Margins rise at mid-sized firms as role of interest income lessens
Mid-sized law firms have improved their margins for the first time since 2021 while also reducing their exposure to client interest income, according to NatWest.
Law firm hits back after housing disrepair wasted costs order
A Liverpool law firm has hit back strongly after being criticised by a council which obtained a wasted costs order over its conduct of a housing disrepair claim.
“No incentive” for private equity investors to dilute firms’ ethics
There is no reason why a law firm backed by private equity would be “less professionally ethical” than one owned by its lawyer-partners, a regulatory specialist has argued.
PE-backed deal and reverse takeover lead latest M&A rush
The annual rush of M&A activity around the October insurance renewal season has included a private equity-backed deal and a firm buying another more than twice its size.
Allegation over solicitor’s role in will “should never have been made”
An allegation that an old woman who owned a farm in Devon signed codicils under the undue influence of a solicitor “should never have been made”, a High Court judge has said.
Strike-off for solicitor who misled client, court and law firm
A solicitor who misled her divorce client, the Family Court and the owner of her law firm – leading to the client being issued with a penal notice – has been struck off.
BSB goes ahead with new complaints rules for barristers
The Bar Standards Board has decided to go ahead with rule changes requiring barristers to tell it every year, via their chambers, about any complaints they receive.
Law firm targets London growth after taking private equity
A 25-partner law firm has become the first mid-market practice in London to take private equity investment, with plans to grow both organically and through acquisition.
Solicitors vote down Law Society bid to raise SGM threshold
The Law Society leadership yesterday lost the vote on its bid to increase the threshold for calling an SGM – and then immediately triggered a ballot of all members.
Court of Appeal crushes challenge to advocates’ immunity
A high-powered Court of Appeal has overturned and completely rejected a High Court ruling that had opened a crack in advocates’ immunity.
Blog
Strong AML controls are meaningless with incomplete data
One expectation as the FCA takes control of anti-money laundering oversight is a move towards more supervision rather than simply writing new rules.
Navigating the legal AI productivity-profitability paradox
Firms are achieving efficiencies through AI, especially in the practice of law. Yet many are struggling to see that reflected in their financial outcomes
Regulation, growth and access to justice: why legal services need a reset
Well-intentioned consumer protections embedded in the regulation of legal services increasingly act as barriers to innovation, competition and access to justice.
