Market monitor

Listed firm DWF has again leveraged its new purchasing power by spending £14.2m to acquire a US-based legal and managed services business, adding 360 people to its staff complement.

The owner of a commercial law firm based on a ”dramatically different” approach to pricing has said he believes the firm can enter the top 100 without buying other firms.

The role of the conveyancer is undoubtedly going to change as much of the administrative side of the role becomes automated over the coming years, a new report has predicted.

Two listed legal businesses have unveiled positive trading updates, with the founder of City firm Rosenblatt to receive £1m in return for extending his lock-in with the business.

The vast majority of clients are happy with the services they receive, according to the largest ever legal needs survey, but only 55% of those with legal issues actually sought out professional advice.

Those already using reservation agreements say they are improving the home-buying process, it has been claimed, although the public and industry are split on whether they will work.

The name for the new whiplash portal was released yesterday as registration formally opened, amid warnings from insurance lawyers that motor fraud is moving into other areas.

Productivity in the legal services sector rose by 17% in the five years from 2013 to 2018, a report by accountants KPMG for the Law Society has found.

The High Court has granted declarations that an online service has not broken conflict of interest rules or the Legal Services Act by helping divorcing couples draft their own documents and not use lawyers.

Leading insurance law firm Keoghs – which has enjoyed private equity investment for seven years – is to be bought by a private equity-backed professional services and technology business.