Latest news
Lawtech company adopts four-day week: “It could work for law firms”
The introduction of a four-day week could work for law firms and make them “very attractive” to young lawyers, according to the boss of a lawtech company which has embraced the change.
High-profile solicitor Todner to face disciplinary tribunal
High-profile solicitor Karen Todner is to face the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal over allegations of financial mismanagement. The tribunal is also to hear a case involving leading London firm Mishcon de Reya.
Solicitor lost unencrypted USB stick full of client information
A solicitor who lost an unencrypted USB stick full of client information that was subsequently found by a member of the public has been rebuked by the SRA.
City partner struck off for “bizarre” inflated billing
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has described as “bizarre and not credible” an account given by a City partner of how she valued at £220,000 legal work for a client she had billed at only £3,800.
Retention improving at the Bar as average age of barristers rises
The proportion of barristers aged over 50 has tripled over the past 30 years, while the number of pupils has shrunk by almost 30%, research by the Bar Standards Board has found.
Court of Appeal revives “unmanageable” £5bn class action
A decision to strike out an “unmanageable” £5bn group action brought by 200,000 claimants over a dam collapse in Brazil can be appealed, the Court of Appeal has decided.
Problems with reopening London HQ “hindered” listed law firm
Problems with reopening its London headquarters have “hindered the development” of listed law firm Ince’s business, chief executive Adrian Biles told investors yesterday.
Technology and innovation “step-change” in last year but barriers persist
The past year has seen a “step change” in the adoption of legal technology and innovation, in part as a result of Covid-19, a major piece of new research has found. However, significant barriers remain.
Longer court hours re-emerge despite concerns over impact
Extended operating hours in the courts – bitterly opposed by the legal profession – have returned, at least for now, in the guise of ‘temporary operating arrangements’.
MPs urge complete overhaul of both civil and criminal legal aid
MPs have called for an extension of the court duty solicitor scheme for housing possession cases to other areas of civil justice where there are “significant numbers” of litigants in person.
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.
