Practice Management
Law firm’s net-zero office generates electricity from lifts
National law firm TLT is moving next month to what could be the most environmentally friendly solicitors’ office in the UK, with ‘air-purifying’ paint and lifts which generate electricity when braking.
Purpose over profit: Profession needs “fundamental” cultural reset
The pandemic has not brought about necessary cultural change in the legal profession, meaning lawyers and their firms need to fundamentally reset their values.
Booming legal market triggers talent war and salary hikes – survey
The healthy state of the legal market, with law firms expanding their range of services, is leading to a talent war and rapidly rising salaries, new research has found.
Gender equality: More flexible working, less unconscious bias training
The legal profession is “making progress” towards more equitable gender representation at a senior level, but there is plenty of scope for improvement, new research has found.
Exclusive: Mishcon de Reya drops B Corp status after just seven months
Mishcon de Reya has withdrawn from the B Corporation initiative – for businesses that balances purpose with profit – just months after becoming only the third law firm to achieve it.
Four-day week delivers for probate firm – but staff must work hard
Staff at a wills and probate business that attracted worldwide media coverage after introducing a four-day week are expected to work harder during their shorter working hours.
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.
Blog
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
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.
