Practice Management
One in four SME law firms yet to embrace SQE
More than a quarter of SME law firms (27%) have not yet embraced the Solicitors Qualiying Exam, and nearly a half are not offering solicitor apprenticeships, research has found.
Law firm fails with defamation claim over Trustpilot reviews
A law firm has failed in a defamation action over negative reviews about it on Trustpilot, with the High Court ruling that it could not prove they caused any financial loss.
Muslim students “uncomfortable” with law firm drinking culture
Muslim students on vacation schemes at City law firms say the “drinking culture” makes it hard for them to take part in social events because of their religion.
GenAI helps lawyers overcome ‘blank page syndrome’
Three-quarters of lawyers agree that using generative artificial intelligence helps them “get to a first draft quicker”, according to a report on trials run by a leading City law firm.
Seven out of 10 lawyers say being a carer damaged their health
More than seven out of 10 lawyers have said that being a carer has damaged either their mental or physical health, a report to mark Carers Week has found.
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.
Blog
Accountability has to live within governance, not with one person
The assumption has long been that a COLP or COFA is personally exposed to the consequences of anti-money laundering breaches.
The SRA’s client money reforms: good intentions, questionable execution
On the face of it, the SRA’s plans to tighten protections around client money sounds sensible. The detail, as ever, tells a more complicated story.
Recruitment, retention and reward in the legal accounts world
Understanding the legal finance market is important – not just for those actively involved in it day-to-day but also for leaders within law firms.
