Market monitor

Listed law firm Gordon Dadds has unveiled a stripped-down deal to acquire Ince & Co that has seen it buy the UK business for £27m, along with a “refined” acquisition strategy.

The work of pro bono clinics continues to rise, the charity LawWorks has reported, as it argued the case for giving people early access to legal help. It also warned about the risk of digital exclusion.

The owner of national law firm Simpson Millar is eyeing up further investments, its founder has revealed. It has set up a separate company to make equity investments in law firms.

Some 192 staff at listed law firm Knights have subscribed for options over the firm’s shares at a discounted price. Listed legal businesses Redde and Anexo have released positive trading updates.

The Civil Liability Bill received Royal Assent yesterday, meaning the battle over the reforms now moves to the regulations that will fill in much of the detail, including the compensation tariff.

Law firms need to build “enlightened” partnerships so as to disrupt the legal market themselves, or face others moving in to do it, the chief customer officer at Slater & Gordon has argued.

There is “increasing competition” for clients and lawyers between the large US and UK firms operating in London, as research shows strong continued growth among the largest City firms.

Clifford Chance is to initiate discussions amongst the large London firms “to ratchet up what we can all do to counter corruption”, the firm’s general counsel has revealed.

A partner who set up both a commercial law firm and a HR software company has sold his stake in the legal practice to take charge of the software business.

Alternative business structures operating in conveyancing are significantly more positive about their future than traditional practices as the number of firms in the field continues to fall.