Market monitor
Morgan Stanley’s Quindell hokey cokey – you put your money in, then take it out
Morgan Stanley has dumped Quindell stock just four days after becoming the alternative business structure’s second largest shareholder, it has emerged. Quindell’s shares jumped on Monday after announcing that it had taken a 5.03% stake.
National Accident Helpline moves into conveyancing
National Accident Helpline has today unveiled its move into the conveyancing market by spending £4.3m to buy a lead generation business specialising in the sector that owns the website of failed alternative business structure In-Deed.
Business Growth Fund to consider more law firm investments
The growth capital fund which became the first external investor in a high street law firm last week has said it will consider investing in other legal practices.
Slater & Gordon heats up TV advertising battle as Quindell share price rollercoaster continues
The TV advertising battle between legal brands stepped up this week with Slater & Gordon launching a new campaign with the message ‘Your case is our cause’. Meanwhile, the share price of Quindell plc, part of which S&G is in talks to buy, continues to fluctuate.
High street first as multi-office firm takes £5m investment and targets legal aid growth
McMillan Williams, which has 20 offices in London and the south of England, has become the first high street law firm to take external investment after securing a £5m private equity deal.
Saga lampoons ‘jargony’ lawyers in first legal services TV adverts
Over-50s company Saga has launched the first television advertising campaign for its legal services division, satirising the notion of lawyers being long-winded. There adverts envisage what life would be like if everyone spoke like a lawyer
Assure Law targets personal injury with latest acquisition
Business consultancy Assure Law has bought a specialist rehabilitation service as it expands the range of services it offers to law firms, following its acquisition of HighStreetLawyer.com and Lawyers2you.
Gunnercooke uses its law firm model to set up consultancy business
Alternative business structure gunnercooke has taken its pioneering law firm model of only employing senior lawyers and used it to set up a consultancy business.
Slater & Gordon unveils next two acquisitions, while Quindell talks continue
Slater & Gordon has today announced another two acquisitions that it said will make it the largest consumer law firm in Wales, as well as boosting its presence in the north-west and south-west of England, while talks over the acquisition of ‘operating assets’ of Quindell are continuing.
National v local brands – stalwart QS firm “reclaims independence”
The debate over national versus local legal brands is set to begin again after Norfolk firm Clapham & Collinge announced it was “reclaiming its independence” by leaving the QualitySolicitors network after four years.
Blog
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
AML lacks clarity – and standards are suffering
If firms are buckling under the pressure of AML regulations, subject to ever-increasing fines, then something is clearly not working as it should be.
