Latest news
Huge delays persist in taking civil court claims to trial
Delays in cases going through the civil courts reduced slightly in the second quarter of 2021, but it still takes 49 weeks to get a small claim from issue to trial and 71 weeks for larger claims.
Solicitor who stole £275,000 from client’s estate struck off
A solicitor who abused his position as the executor of an estate and stole £275,000 from it to spend on an “excessive lifestyle” has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
City firm’s innovation trainee to develop “tangible deliverable product”
A trainee solicitor starting a pioneering six-month “innovation seat” at a top City firm this week will be developing a “tangible deliverable product” to help the work of the real estate department.
MoJ: “Strong justification” for increasing 129 court fees
There is “strong justification” for increasing 129 court fees by inflation, backdated to 2016, the Ministry of Justice has said.
Judge warns over ‘risk-free’ litigation under DBA backed by insurance
The High Court has warned about the potential unfairness to defendants facing a claimant operating ‘risk-free’ under a damages-based agreement and backed by after-the-event insurance.
Data breach ruling “could stem” tide of claims
A High Court ruling on a low-value data breach claim may stop claimants recovering after-the-event insurance premiums in cases involving cyber-attacks, reducing their viability.
Study links greater diversity to higher law firm profitability
There is a link between greater diversity and higher law firm profits, research in the US has found, “diversity of cognition” one of the key reasons.
OIC advisory group set up amid concerns over insurer behaviour
The Ministry of Justice has set up an Official Injury Claim advisory group amid suggestions that insurers are encouraging already represented claimants to bring their claim without legal help.
Judge accepts “overstretched” solicitor’s excuse for missing deadline
An employment judge has granted an “overstretched solicitor” more time to respond to an unfair dismissal claim after she missed the deadline.
DWF details share-based incentive plan for senior executives
The three senior executives at DWF – the only law firm listed on the main stock exchange – have been awarded 1.5m shares subject to the firm meeting certain performance targets by 2024.
Blog
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
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.
