Practice Management
Top firm uses computer simulations to train new partners
UK/US giant Hogan Lovells is using computer simulations of legal practices to train new equity partners in how to run a law firm, it has emerged.
No TUPE protection for most staff shed in Lawyers Inc takeover
Only five out of 22 lawyers and staff who lost their jobs when Hull firm Ingrams collapsed were protected by the TUPE regulations when the firm was effectively taken over by an innovative ABS.
PDS employee “unfairly dismissed” after work with murderer
The Public Defender Service unfairly dismissed an employee who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after her work debriefing a murderer.
Judge criticises top firm for exacerbating divorce conflict
A top family law firm has been criticised by a High Court judge for exacerbating the conflict in a high-value divorce by issuing a Form A during a period when it had been agreed not to.
Tribunal issues tax warning after senior barrister’s late payment
Barristers would be “well advised” to make proper provision for tax liabilities given the “episodic” nature of their income, a tribunal has cautioned after upholding a fine against a QC hit by legal aid cuts.
Start-up aims to help NFP sector identify legal nature of problems
An AI-backed product that uses natural language processing to help not-for-profit agencies identify precisely the legal nature of a problem is set to launch next year.
Law firms “will stop using email within five years”
Email will be replaced within five years by a more secure means of communication for law firms, an expert predicted this week. Meanwhile, the SRA is using behavioural science in its messaging.
Innovate UK backs bid to create “thinking” legal AI
Contract review business ThoughtRiver has been awarded funding from the government for a £400,000 development project to develop “thinking AI”.
SRA: Law firms must be able to explain decisions made by AI
Law firms must be able to explain “automated decisions”, including those involving artificial intelligence (AI), the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned.
SQE does “violence to law” as academic discipline
The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination does “significant violence to law as an academic discipline and to our colleagues and students”, law lecturers have argued.
Blog
Is your Google Ads budget funding your competitors’ AI visibility?
If your cost-per-click has crept up again this year, you’ve probably assumed the market simply got more expensive. That’s the wrong way to read what’s happening.
Containing the spread of unapproved AI
Nearly 60% of fee-earners admit to using unapproved tools (like free versions of ChatGPT). Yet 68% of firm leaders are confident there is zero risk of unapproved AI being used for client work.
When AI adoption goes wrong, costs add up fast
City AM recently reported that London is fighting to claim the title of ‘global capital of legal AI’. However, it’s crucial we remember that adoption alone does not create value.
