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Law firms that fail to prepare for change are likely to become “no longer sustainable” beyond a “tipping point” around the year 2020, a report by accountants Deloitte has predicted. It said fewer “traditional lawyers” would be needed in the future, but there would be more sales executives, project managers and technology experts.

Eversheds and BPP University Law School have launched a six-year apprenticeship scheme leading to qualification as a solicitor. The law firm is believed to be the first to launch a scheme at this level, but its shape depends partly on the fate of the Solicitors Qualification Examination.

Fairpoint Group plc – the one-time debt management operation that has transformed into a mainly legal services operation – has reported a “strong financial performance” for 2015 and plans to keep growing in 2016. Meanwhile, turnover at Minster Law, which is owned by BGL Group, more than halved.

The regulation of claims management companies is to move to the Financial Conduct Authority as part of a major shake-up that will see all CMCs have to seek reauthorisation and subject to an additional levy to fund the transition.

The government review of the Legal Services Act needs to give clients of unregulated providers access to the Legal Ombudsman so as to close off a “competitive advantage” enjoyed by those that are regulated, the complaints body said this week.

A City solicitor who qualified at Ashurst has set up a contract lawyer and paralegal matching service designed particularly for firms needing help with e-discovery. Toby Gascoyne said the web platform was currently working with three law firms and around 100 lawyers and paralegals.

The Law Society has apologised to its freedom of information adjudicator after failing to provide him with an “additional and substantial” body of information relating to ‘Harry Potter solicitor’ Alan Blacker, also known as Lord Harley. Adam Sowerbutts described the incident as “troubling”.

A property management firm specialising in residential blocks of flats has turned itself into an alternative business structure, in what is understood to be first move of its kind. “At the moment we’re a property management company with a legal capacity. In 10 years’ time, it is likely to be the other way round,” said director Matthew Young.

Raleys, one of the law firms most strongly criticised for misconduct during the miners’ compensation scandal, has entered administration. Administrators have been appointed and Leeds firm Ison Harrison has taken over existing clients.

Responses to Lord Justice Briggs’ recommendation to create an Online Court (OC) have pitted sceptical solicitors and barristers against others who have given the scheme a more generous reception. Lawyers were worried about the impact of a change in the approach to justice represented by the OC, and the dangers of removing them from it.