Practice Management
Number of complaints to law firms up 20% in five years
The number of complaints received by law firms went up by about a fifth between 2019 and 2023, the SRA has found – but averages out only at four per practice.
UK law firms “turn to tech rather than job cuts” to adapt to future
UK law firms are preferring to adopt new technology rather than cut staff to address the current economic climate when compared to their US and Australian counterparts.
London calling: Three capital deals lead way in latest M&A
Leading south coast law firm Lester Aldridge is boosting its London presence after agreeing a deal to acquire Mackrell, the largest of the deals announced recently.
Smaller law firms to prioritise spending on recruitment and AI
Smaller law firms have recovered their confidence in the future, with hiring more lawyers their joint top spending priority the next 12-18 months.
Alternative legal services provider enters recruitment market
Global alternative legal services provider Axiom has entered the UK in-house legal recruitment market, both for permanent staff and for ‘interim to permanent’ positions.
Exclusive: Lawfront eyes £150m group as ambitions grow
Private equity-backed Lawfront – which earlier this month made its fourth major acquisition – is now looking to build a group turning over £150m, Legal Futures can reveal.
Fourth major regional acquisition for PE-backed Lawfront
Private equity-backed Lawfront has made its fourth major acquisition, and eighth in total, by buying Manchester-headquartered Slater Heelis.
Bar earnings gap a “serious cultural and structural problem”
The earnings gap between male and female barristers is not explained by caring responsibilities, choice of practice area, or amount of legally aided work, Bar Council research has found.
Law firm unfairly dismissed long-serving staff member
A police station representative at a North-East law firm was unfairly constructively dismissed after having problems with the partner who supervised her.
Slew of law firms embrace growing B Corp movement
Several more law firms have become B Corporations, ranging from a long-established London firm to a niche disputes practice, taking the total to 20.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
