Practice Management
Court upholds non-compete clause for lawyer joining Weightmans
The High Court has upheld a 12-month non-compete clause imposed by a niche employment practice on a director joining national law firm Weightmans.
Aged debt and more write-offs – larger law firms count cost of Covid
The vast majority of larger UK law firms have been hit by delays in settling clients’ bills since the pandemic began, with 73% increasing billing write-offs, a report has found.
Green law firm pledges 10% of fees to environmental causes
A new specialist tree damage claims law firm will donate 10% of the fees on a matter to a carbon or biodiversity credit scheme so as to offset the carbon produced in handling it.
Leading firm ditches training contracts for apprenticeships
Commercial law firm Hill Dickinson is to scrap training contracts for would-be solicitors and replace them with a graduate solicitor apprenticeship programme.
SRA warns law firms over “wholly unreasonable workloads”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned law firms that imposing “wholly unreasonable workloads or targets” on staff could result in disciplinary action.
Family law firm embraces employee ownership and plots big expansion
The founder of the latest firm to move to employee ownership said his decision was inspired by the co-operative movement as it aims to become the largest family law practice in the country.
Large firms failing to optimise social media in hot recruitment market
Large law firms are failing to make the best use of LinkedIn as a recruitment tool amid a hot market, with the top 100 firms often receiving no applicants as they fail to sell the roles effectively.
Diversity questions make up 20% of marks in panel tender
Clients are ratcheting up the pressure on law firms to improve their diversity, with applicants for the panel of the Pension Protection Fund the latest to have to prove their credentials.
Multi-disciplinary network strikes third UK deal with BSB-regulated firm
International professional services group ETL Global has inked its third law firm deal in England by taking a stake in a specialist investment fraud practice, amid a flurry of law firm M&A.
Law firms eye M&A as route to private equity or listing
Nearly half of law firms are considering mergers and acquisitions, with a surprising number looking to grow in a bid to attract private equity investment or to go public, according to new research.
Blog
Regulation, growth and access to justice: why legal services need a reset
Well-intentioned consumer protections embedded in the regulation of legal services increasingly act as barriers to innovation, competition and access to justice.
Digital marketing for law firms in 2026 – where to focus your efforts
Digital marketing for law firms in 2026 is more demanding than ever. AI is reshaping content, while audiences are becoming more selective and platforms are raising the bar on quality.
From AI ambition to operational reality
AI is no longer an emerging technology on the horizon. It has become the connective tissue binding law, regulation, risk and commercial decision-making.
