Practice Management
Microsoft offers financial bonus to firms that meet its diversity targets
Law firms instructed by Microsoft will be eligible for a bonus of up to 3% of their annual fees next year if they meet the diversity targets set by the technology behemoth.
Start-up enables general counsel to compare law firms on ESG
A start-up launched by two former general counsel at Zurich Insurance Group has created a tool to help in-house lawyers compare the performance of law firms in addressing ESG issues.
Innovation the big benefit of remote working, law firms say
Remote working during the pandemic has accelerated innovation at law firms but made supervision more difficult, a survey has found.
Kent firm eyes major expansion as it offers efficient staff a ‘You day’
A Kent-based law firm has unveiled plans to increase its headcount and turnover by 30% over the next two years, while also allowing staff to do 10 days work in nine and have the extra day off.
Partners want to work less but have more time for unbillable activities
Three in 10 partners at large firms are unhappy with their working hours, with many also not keen to undertake non-billable work unrelated to business development, research has found.
Top 50 law firms heading for “two-track” future
Variations in progress among the top 50 law firms over the past five years is leading to a “two-track” market where one group is likely to “accelerate past” the rest, a report has argued.
“Misconception” that review websites are bad for small firms
The belief that review websites favour big law firms which can provide large numbers of reviews is a misconception, a leading provider has argued.
Working days “could be replaced by aggregated maximum time”
Future professionals’ working lives could be based not on “working days or even patterns” but on “aggregated maximum time” during which they are accountable to their employer.
Flexible working overtakes pay as top priority for job-seeking lawyers
Flexible working has overtaken pay as the top priority for lawyers looking for a change of job, a survey has found. Meanwhile, feelings of job security have increased massively over the past year.
Leading firms prepare to offer part-time working to all trainees
Two large law firms – Osborne Clarke and Eversheds Sutherland – have said that they will offer all their trainees the opportunity to work part-time from September 2024.
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.
