Legal Services Act
US private equity house takes major stake in listed law firm
An American private equity house has become the largest external investor in DWF after taking a 4.5% stake in the listed law firm worth £10m.
Law firms “in denial” about their post-Covid finances
Law firms’ high level of confidence about the future – despite Covid-19 and Brexit – is at odds with a lax approach to finances and could indicate “an industry in denial”, new research has warned.
Big personal injury firms “to merge as market shrinks”
Some of the larger personal injury firms are set to merge while others will have to restructure, with the market set to reach a “watershed moment”, a report has predicted.
Frenkel Topping eyes National Accident Helpline acquisition
Frenkel Topping, best known for giving financial advice to seriously injured claimants with large awards, has approached the company that owns National Accident Helpline over a potential acquisition.
Exclusive: PI newcomer saves 100 jobs with Yorkshire firm pre-pack
The jobs of more than 100 staff at Yorkshire firm Heptonstalls have been saved by a start-up personal injury practice that aims to expand as others leave the market due to next year’s whiplash reforms.
“Hardest six months ever” for National Accident Helpline group
Revenue and profit have fallen sharply at NAHL plc – the owner of National Accident Helpline and ABS National Accident Law – after “the most challenging six months” in its history.
SRA Innovate “must work even harder” to combat digital exclusion
The SRA must work “even harder” through its Innovate programme to encourage technology that helps reduce digital exclusion, its new executive director for strategy and innovation said yesterday.
Firms worry about closing flagship offices post-Covid
Law firms worry that closing flagship offices in big cities as part of the shift to work from home will hit their market share and damage their local reputation, new research has found.
More judges to work flexibly in latest diversity push
More flexible working hours and a review of the eligibility criteria are part of the latest plan to improve diversity in the judiciary, especially in the senior ranks.
Private client lawyer targets wealthy with strategic consultancy
A senior private client lawyer has launched a strategic consultancy to advise wealthy individuals and families from around the world on succession, risk, governance and dispute resolution.
Blog
Why this is the year for law firms to embrace generative AI
After more than a year of pilots, proofs of value and early experimentation, firms are increasingly embedding AI into day-to-day workflows.
Client account interest is not spare change
The proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme is being framed as a sensible, international, “tried and tested” way for the profession to help fund a justice system under strain.
The formula for finance-enabled business development
Client concentration or over-dependence now counts as a top strategic risk for 26% of firms. Cross-selling is an antidote – a way to bolster revenue resilience without relying on client acquisition.
