Latest news
Gateley launches £50m litigation fund as LCM reports “robust” results
Listed law firm Gateley has signed a deal with a US-based litigation funder for a £50m facility to back disputes, while funder LCM has announced “robust” results after a tricky year.
“Patronising” solicitor struck off for comments made to young women
A “patronising” solicitor who made multiple “racially, ethnically or religiously motivated comments” to young women at an event – whom he later accused of being ‘woke’ – has been struck off.
Regulators issue new standards to improve practice in coroner’s courts
The Bar Standards Board, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and CILEx Regulation have joined forces in a bid to improve the standard of practice in coroner’s courts.
Recruiter launches automated data tool for law firm mergers
A legal recruitment specialist has launched what is believed to be the first automated data tool for law firm mergers to speed up the early stages of due diligence.
Compensation funds could be “wiped out”, panel warns
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has warned that interim compensation funds put in place by two of the smaller legal regulators could be quickly “wiped out”.
Would-be pupil withdraws discrimination claim after tribunal ruling
An employment tribunal has refused to strike out a claim that a chambers discriminated against a pupillage applicant who had previous dealings with the QC who headed the pupillage committee.
SRA board to shrink to just nine members
Decisions on the regulation of solicitors will be made by just nine people from next year, the smallest the board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority has ever been.
Barrister waived privilege in document by showing it to opposing counsel
Counsel for a defendant in possession proceedings voluntarily disclosed a draft witness statement to her opposing number and in doing so waived privilege, the High Court has ruled.
Solicitor struck off after overcharging clients for stamp duty
A solicitor who overcharged a client for their stamp duty and paid the excess to an unknown third party has been struck off. He also lied to the SRA about his whereabouts to avoid answering its questions.
Mishcon de Reya ups innovation focus with Taylor Vinters deal
London firm Mishcon de Reya is upping its focus on both the innovation economy and innovation in legal practice by merging with Cambridge-based practice Taylor Vinters.
Blog
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
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.
