Practice Management
The quality of quality marks: getting better but still a long way to go
The major quality marks used in the profession are becoming more credible, but many still have “a long way to go” before consumers can use them with confidence, a new assessment has concluded.
SRA bids to lighten burden on firms of residual client money and on non-practising solicitors
Solicitors will be able to close down thousands of client accounts with residual balances of up to £500 and donate the money to charity under plans unveiled yesterday by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The regulator is also planning to end the annual ‘keeping of the roll’ exercise.
Referral fee ban “cutting nuisance calls” as government targets further CMC crackdown
The referral fee ban has reduced the number of nuisance calls made to potential personal injury claimants, the government has claimed. It is also looking to increase its powers over claims management companies yet further so that it can fine them up to 20% of their turnover.
Top firms turn backs on stock market listing and private equity cash
The UK’s top law firms have become increasingly sceptical about listing on the stock market or taking on private equity investment, according to new research.
Banks agree £60m funding facility to fuel “substantial” growth at Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell has signalled its intention to grow “substantially” in the coming years after securing a £60m four-year finance package with three major UK banks. The deal also includes a £30m ‘accordion’ facility for further finance if required for a big transaction.
Natwest survey: confidence and profits rise but firms must "spend more to make more"
Profits were up last year and confidence is buoyant for the coming year among small and medium-sized law firms, according to a major benchmarking survey. Nine out of 10 firms surveyed thought profits would increase during 2014.
Linder Myers refinancing avoids administration
Manchester firm Linder Myers has avoided administration by completing a deal which will see the firm refinance its debts and appoint a chief executive to lead the practice.
Judge cites Karl Marx in rejecting law firm’s bid to exit professional indemnity scheme
A global law firm has been knocked back by a judge quoting Karl Marx, after seeking a waiver from the Isle of Man Law Society’s indemnity insurance requirements.
Online barrister service seeks crowdfunding to back major expansion plans
A website that connects the public directly with barristers is the latest legal business to seek crowdfunding after it launched a bid to raise £150,000 in expansion capital. The site, myBarrister, wants to sign up 1,000 barristers by the end of the year.
Pioneering online dispute resolution service launches divorce package
A groundbreaking online dispute resolution (ODR) service is gearing up for live trials of its expanded 2.0 version, which will initially offer an end-to-end legal support package for divorcing couples.
Blog
Want sustainable growth? Look to operational excellence
Many firms are being forced to reassess where growth will come from. Increasingly, the answer lies in operational excellence: creating capacity from existing teams.
Our vision for 2026: A shared approach to AML
We want to see law firms start taking AML compliance as seriously as it deserves. This means treating it not as a tick-box exercise or a procedural necessity, but as a serious part of company culture.
Why later-life divorce requires a distinct professional framework
Later-life divorce, often described as ‘silver splitter’ or ‘grey divorce’ cases, is no longer a marginal feature of family law practice. It challenges long-standing assumptions about how divorce work is done.
