Practice Management
Failure to engage on diversity “should feature in performance reviews”
Failure by lawyers to engage on diversity issues should be “taken into account” and have “consequences” in performance reviews, a report has recommended.
Partner caution and client demands “limiting law firm growth”
The combination of a challenging economy, partner caution about investment, and changing demands of clients will be drags on growth this year, according to a survey of large law firms.
Listed legal group raises £2.8m to reduce reliance on bank facility
AIM-listed group RBG Holdings – which encompasses London law firms Rosenblatt and Memery Crystal – raised £2.8m in funding yesterday, slightly more than it had sought.
Number of cyber breaches at law firms up by 36% in a year
The number of reported cyber breaches at UK law firms jumped by 36% in 2022/23 as hackers increasingly target the profession, new figures show.
Solicitor constructively dismissed over return to work after giving birth
An associate solicitor has won her claim for unfair dismissal over the way her then law firm employer handled her return to work after maternity leave.
Firms billing more often to combat slow-paying clients
Many law firms plan to bill and collect more frequently to combat clients taking longer to pay as they try to reduce lock-up, a report has found.
“Unstuffy” ABS hits £7m turnover in less than five years
A Yorkshire alternative business structure founded in 2019 by a solicitor and non-lawyer has grown its turnover from £500,000 in year one to £7m as it expands its range of services.
Firms “asking staff to spend more days in the office”
More than a fifth of legal professionals across the UK have been asked by their employers to spend more time in the office, but few want to return to it full-time.
Law firm extends opening hours after staff move to four-day week
A Scottish law firm has extended its opening hours after most of its staff moved to working a four-day week, the latest to experiment with this new way of working.
New ICO certification for lawyers gives “certainty” on data processing
The Information Commissioner’s Office has approved a certification scheme which it says will provide law firms, chambers and others with “certainty” when processing personal data.
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”.
