Latest news
Government lays out plans to encourage more ABSs to enter market
The government is today laying out plans to remove restrictions on alternative business structures (ABSs) on the basis that they have proven no more risky than traditional law firms. However, it has delayed publication of the consultation on the independence of legal regulators from representative bodies.
Law firm’s knowledge transfer partnership with academics grows profits and client satisfaction
An academic audit of a law firm’s business has broken down its offering into more than 300 ‘products’ as part of a radical and so far successful attempt to increase profits. It was carried out under a government-backed knowledge transfer partnership with Oxford Brookes University’s business school.
Solicitor who “buried head in sand” is reprimanded by SDT
A sole practitioner who “simply buried his head in the sand” over his failure to secure indemnity insurance and carry out an orderly wind-down of his firm has been reprimanded by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
SRA bans paralegal and trainee from working for law firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has banned a paralegal at an alternative business structure and a trainee solicitor at former Hull firm Ward Legal from working for law firms. The SRA said the paralegal sent e-mails to his partner at another law firm making comments that “failed to encourage equality of opportunity and respect for diversity”.
High Court imposes restraint order on “obsessional” litigant who targeted lawyers
The High Court has imposed an extended civil restraint order on an “obsessional” libel litigant who sent over 100 text messages to the mobile phone of a partner at Pinsent Masons acting for Google UK. She also made complaints to professional bodies.
Bar chairman warns on post-Brexit practising rights
The ramifications of leaving the European Union are likely to be wide-ranging and could restrict the ability of barristers to practise outside England and Wales, the chairman of the Bar Council has warned. Chantal-Aimee Doerries QC said the Bar Council was setting up a working group on the impact of Brexit.
ABS gives away software tool to help companies check contracts for Brexit impact
Innovative alternative business structure Radiant Law has created a Microsoft Word-based tool to help in-house counsel check the impact of Brexit on their commercial contracts – and is giving it away for free. Meanwhile, magic circle firm Clifford Chance has struck a deal with artificial intelligence software provider Kira Systems.
Solicitor agrees to leave profession over “dishonest” CV
A solicitor whose CV was full of professional and academic qualifications he did not have has agreed to remove himself from the profession in a move akin to being struck off. He used the CV when he became a consultant in the London office of Canadian firm McCarthy Tetrault.
Solicitor trustees not liable for £1.5m loss on investments, High Court rules
Three solicitors at a Hertfordshire-based law firm who acted as professional executors are not liable for breach of trust after beneficiaries claimed they had lost almost £1.5m on investments, the High Court has ruled.
“A threat to democracy” – Mishcon de Reya in the firing line over Brexit legal action
Has any law firm ever made the news like London law firm Mishcon de Reya did yesterday? It was the subject of headlines around the world – and faced accusations that it could cause riots on the streets – after announcing on Sunday that it was representing a group of unnamed clients in seeking to ensure that it is Parliament that triggers article 50 and the UK’s formal exit from the EU.
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.
