Practice Management
Government to restrict funding for solicitor apprenticeships
The government is to restrict funding for Level 7 apprenticeships, like the solicitor offering, to those aged between 16 and 21, it has announced.
Fee-share law firms continue to attract hundreds of new recruits
Two fee-share law firms have topped the table for hiring lawyers ahead of big traditional firms, as the model continues to attract new recruits in large numbers.
Sixth and biggest acquisition so far for PE-backed Lawfront
Private equity-backed Lawfront has made its sixth and largest regional firm acquisition to date by bringing in Trethowans, which has five offices in South and South-West England.
“Eyes-on, hands-off” – law firm boss calms fears over PE investment
Lawyers should not believe “everything you read” about the negatives of being acquired by private equity, according to the managing director of a Midlands law firm bought last autumn.
PE house outlines ‘sweet equity’ offer to keep law firm staff happy
Maintaining a route to the equity for salaried partners and senior associates is key to the smooth acceptance of private equity money at law firms, an investor has argued.
Commercial law firm to have name on Everton’s new stadium
Hill Dickinson has agreed the highest-profile sports sponsorship in legal history by securing a “long-term” naming rights deal for Premier League football club Everton’s new stadium.
Private equity boom pushes law firm valuations to “upper end”
Competition among private equity buyers has pushed the value of law firms to the “upper end” of their “legitimate range”, it was claimed yesterday.
Smaller law firms reject M&A in favour of organic growth
The proportion of smaller law firms considering merger or acquisition as a growth strategy has halved in a year to just one in 20, with a shift in focus to organic growth.
Knights adds Essex and IFA services in latest acquisition
National firm Knights yesterday announced its 24th acquisition since listing in 2018 with a £16.6m deal for Essex law firm Birkett Long that will take its annual revenues to over £200m.
Law firms “failing to be proactive on wellbeing”, says IBA
Developing a “proactive policy” to prevent wellbeing issues from arising appears to be a “significant challenge” for most law firms, a report by the IBA has found.
Blog
The Decent Homes Standard scandal
It is well established that the UK has the highest proportion of inadequate housing in all of Europe. But what if the heart of the problem is even worse than we think?
The evolving standard: AI and professional negligence
AI creates an obvious professional negligence risk. Using it carelessly may fall below the standard of reasonable skill and care. As may failing to use it, in certain circumstances.
The ongoing rise and challenge of housing disrepair in council properties
Britain’s housing disrepair crisis has quietly evolved into one of the most consequential legal and political issues facing the country’s social housing sector.
