Latest news
“The clock is ticking”: PE investment in law down but deal volume up
Private equity invested an estimated £250m into UK law firms last year and around £80m so far this – compared to the record £534m of 2024 – but deal volume is up sharply.
Midlands law firm makes latest acquisition since taking PE
Black Country law firm Higgs has made its second acquisition since being bought by private equity last year.
CLC warns of “regulatory blind spots” on referral fees
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has warned of the risk of “regulatory blind spots” after a review of referral fees revealed shortcomings in firms documenting arrangements.
HMRC finally explains when conveyancers should register as tax advisers
HM Revenue & Customs has finally issued detailed guidance on when conveyancers need to register with it as tax advisers.
Farewell to the Chancery Division in High Court shake-up
The Lady Chief Justice has unveiled a modernisation of the High Court which will see a new Business and Property Division replace the Chancery Division.
SRA presses on with separating management and compliance roles
The SRA is going ahead with rule changes to separate law firm managers who can “unilaterally” make decisions from compliance officer roles in all but the smallest firms.
Pogust loses first round of £3m costs battle with ‘subcontractor’ law firm
A judge has partially struck out a defence lodged by class action specialist Pogust Goodhead in a battle over £3.1m in fees which litigation boutique Seladore Legal says it is owed.
SRA ordered to pay solicitor costs after failed dishonesty allegation
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has reprimanded a duty solicitor for backdating documents – but ordered the SRA to pay him costs after he was cleared of dishonesty.
Law firm failed to validly serve £82m claim
London law firm Forsters failed to validly serve a claim form for a claim valued at around £82m, the High Court has ruled.
Exclusive: SRA to appeal suspended suspension for “bullying” solicitor
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to appeal the decision to give only a suspended suspension to a law firm owner who bullied and harassed five junior members of staff.
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.
