Market monitor
Firm’s accounts spoiled by joint venture ABS collapse
Lyons Davidson has had a good-looking year spoiled by the collapse of its joint venture with NAHL plc, meaning that it has posted a £2.8m loss for the last financial year.
Leading regional accountants launch ABS to expand offering
A major Lincolnshire-based firm of accountants is moving beyond offering probate services by becoming an ABS to provide clients with a “wrap-around” service.
New instructions surge past pre-lockdown levels
Legal activity has bounced back to 130% of pre-Covid levels with conveyancing continuing to rise steadily and several other practice areas also buoyant, new figures have shown.
Former trainee doctor in contempt for online campaign against judge
A former trainee doctor has been found in contempt of court for repeatedly breaching injunctions imposed on him to stop using a website to harass a circuit judge.
Law firms cheered by U-shaped recovery
Law firms have seen a U-shaped recovery – and in some work-types, V-shaped – “rather than a dreaded L-type situation where things stay down in the dumps for a long period of time”.
Buckland announces independent review of criminal legal aid market
The Lord Chancellor is to launch an independently led review of the criminal legal aid system with the aim of improving its sustainability, but denied that it discriminates against BAME and women lawyers.
Law Society and Bar Council at odds over quarantine exemption
The Law Society has spoken out against a government clarification sought by Bar Council that means anyone self-isolating after returning from abroad can break quarantine to attend court.
Law firm offers clients behavioural science consultancy
A global law firm has launched what it believes is the legal industry’s first offering focused on behavioural science, aimed at helping clients make better decisions in areas like compliance.
Law firm referral network weathers virus shock
West Midlands referral network Hub.Legal has reported that referrals of work from its 125 member firms have recovered to their pre-Covid level – but several are looking to merge.
Charity works to improve access to justice for Roma families
The charity Law for Life, which specialises in public legal education, has created a film for Roma families in their own language as part of work to improve understanding of the child protection system.
Blog
Modern search is about ‘knowledge’ retrieval
Search has long been understood as data retrieval – the ability to call back information and check a box on finding something. Legal professionals today need more of a 360-degree view on a matter.
Lessons from Sir Keir Starmer for SRA chief
The proposed 29%, or £25m, increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budget announced last week should really come as no great surprise.
The hidden risks in client account reconciliations
The client account reconciliation process will be second nature to most people in legal finance – and so is also a potential area for a problem to be undetected until it becomes serious.
