Market monitor
Moving home using just an app comes a step closer
A start-up aiming to give home buyers access to all the information on their move via an app is set to launch a pilot with several leading software providers – and through them law firms.
“Ageism” of virtual law firms not being confronted
The “ageism” of new-breed ‘virtual’ law firms, with their focus on senior lawyers at the expense of younger ones, has not been confronted, an analysis has argued.
Exclusive: “Impossible” for insurers to meet whiplash deadline
A “growing number of insurers” believe there will not be enough time for them to prepare properly for launch of the whiplash portal in April 2020, the new head of FOIL has warned. One said it was “impossible”.
City firms circling Irish counterparts for EU foothold
Most of the large Irish law firms have been approached about a merger with a UK counterpart in the past year as City firms look to establish a foothold in the post-Brexit EU, it has emerged.
Investors “eager to back law firms”
Investors are poised to buy into the legal services sector to capitalise on recent regulatory changes, with corporatised law firms best placed to benefit, according to an expert in external investment.
Exclusive: Consumer law consolidator eyes public listing
Metamorph Law, which has bought eight law firms in the past three years, is planning to list on the stock market in 12-18 months – the first move of its kind for a UK consumer law firm.
Ince eyes opportunities from new SRA rules
Listed law firm Ince Group is examining how it could take advantage of the new rules allowing solicitors to practise from unregulated businesses, it said today as it announced strong half-year results.
Four in ten claimants would use whiplash portal
A minority of personal injury claimants, 43%, would be willing to use the government’s new portal for road traffic accident claims worth up to £5,000, a report has found.
Private investor helps fund litigation boutique launch
A private investor has provided £1m in start-up funding for a Liverpool litigation boutique and alternative business structure specialising in complex and high-value commercial cases.
Time’s up on big law firm model, says Dentons
The traditional big law firm model is “backward looking” and the Big Four accountants pose “a seismic competitive change to practices of all types, sizes and locations”, Dentons has warned.
Blog
Whistleblowing guidance for in-house lawyers – a call to arms
In-house lawyers are in a unique position to spot wrongdoing. But reporting it is not just potentially dangerous from a personal point of view.
The importance of benchmarking reports – and lessons on profitability
Regional firms reported the largest revenue growth this year (12%), outpacing their City counterparts. Yet many are not converting that growth into profitability.
Fixed recoverable costs: Sacrificing justice for predictability?
The extended fixed recoverable costs regime is failing to achieve its stated objectives. Instead of promoting fairness and efficiency, the rules are creating anomalies that undermine justice.
