Latest news
Slater & Gordon returns to profit after years of turbulence
Slater & Gordon – the first law firm owned by a hedge fund – made a small profit in its first year of independence from its one-time Australian parent, it revealed yesterday.
CA: Judge wrong to discharge jury over barrister’s closing speech
A judge was wrong to discharge the jury in a criminal trial after “inappropriate” remarks by the defence barrister in his closing speech, the Lord Chief Justice has ruled.
Court strikes out “incomprehensible” claim against law firm
The High Court has struck out a claim for professional negligence, breach of contract and fiduciary duty made against a central London law firm which was based on “incomprehensible pleadings”.
Solicitor taken in by “Pope’s banker” fails to remove PC conditions
A solicitor convicted of a money laundering offence after being taken in by a charismatic conman posing as the Pope’s banker has failed in a bid to remove the conditions from her practising certificate.
Law Society warns of £3.5bn hit from no-deal Brexit
The Law Society is warning that turnover from legal services would slump by £3.5bn in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It was particularly concerned about the fate of future UK lawyers.
MoJ official “confident” of hitting April 2020 deadline for PI reform
The civil servant overseeing the Civil Liability Act reforms yesterday declared his confidence that the 6 April 2020 target for implementation would be met. But he stressed that “ministers will not rush this”.
SRA considers ditching skills testing from first part of SQE
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is considering whether to abandon the skills element of the first stage of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, meaning it would consist entirely of multiple-choice questions.
DWF hails “milestone” year with strong results – but IPO cost £12m
DWF, the world’s largest listed law firm, revealed that going public cost the business £12.6m while also slowing down its acquisition activity. Revenue for the year to 30 April grew 15% to £272m.
Partners fined for conflict of interest in coal mine deal
Two former partners in a Welsh law firm have each been fined for acting in the sale of four opencast coal mines where they had a direct interest in the companies that bought them.
Ex-Baker McKenzie boss to face tribunal over harassment allegations
The former managing partner of the London office of Baker McKenzie is to face a disciplinary tribunal over allegations that he sexually harassed a member of staff.
Blog
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.
The ‘blank sheet’ challenge, part 2 – what would you do differently?
In the second part of this blog series, Shainul Kassam, managing director of small London firm Fortune Law, sets out how she would set up a law firm now.
