Latest news
Medico-legal market remains strong despite MedCo decline
Researchers have raised their estimate for the value of the UK’s medico-legal market in 2024 to £677m, an increase of 4.5% on the previous year.
Consultant-led law firms “pose greater money laundering risk”
The decentralised nature of consultant-led law firms carries extra money laundering risks that mean compliance officers may need to be “more interventionist”, the SRA has cautioned.
SRA to consult on strengthening continuing competence regime
The SRA is to consult on strengthening continuing competence requirements as it was not clear whether solicitors are reflecting properly on their practices.
Ten competition class actions for every person in the UK
There were more than 655m class members of actions in the Competition Appeal Tribunal at the end of 2024 – equivalent to 10.4 class actions for every person in the country.
FCA already under pressure to restrict car finance redress scheme
Peers on the House of Lords’ financial services regulation committee have questioned whether the FCA’s plan for a motor finance claims redress scheme is too generous.
Mergers, administration and a new firm – legal market stays active
Merger talks announced earlier this year between Ward Hadaway and The Endeavour Partnership have proven successful as we round up recent market developments.
“Too soon” for struck-off solicitor to apply for return to roll
A struck-off solicitor who has not paid the Solicitors Regulation Authority nearly £65,000 in outstanding costs from his disciplinary hearing cannot return to the roll.
Birss criticises “Balkanised” civil justice procedure
Lord Justice Birss, the outgoing deputy head of civil justice, has spoken out at what he called the “heavily Balkanised” civil justice process in England and Wales.
CLC issues warning not to slack off on post-completion work
The term ‘post-completion’ can encourage conveyancers to see applications to HM Land Registry as an afterthought, especially as they are done after collecting the fee, the CLC has warned.
Panel backs making law firms tell clients how to complain at end of cases
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has come out strongly in favour of law firms telling clients how to complain at the end of a matter as well as the beginning.
Blog
Whistleblowing guidance for in-house lawyers – a call to arms
In-house lawyers are in a unique position to spot wrongdoing. But reporting it is not just potentially dangerous from a personal point of view.
The importance of benchmarking reports – and lessons on profitability
Regional firms reported the largest revenue growth this year (12%), outpacing their City counterparts. Yet many are not converting that growth into profitability.
Fixed recoverable costs: Sacrificing justice for predictability?
The extended fixed recoverable costs regime is failing to achieve its stated objectives. Instead of promoting fairness and efficiency, the rules are creating anomalies that undermine justice.
