Company & Commercial
Law firm to pay 10% of commercial fees into social justice fund
A well-known London law firm has launched a fund to receive 10% of the firm’s fees from non-contentious commercial work and then hand over the money to two legal charities.
UK lawtech firm raises $30m to expand use of agentic AI
A lawtech contract specialist has raised $30m in Series B funding to further develop its use of agentic artificial intelligence as it expands outside the UK.
Three out of 10 GCs plan to cut spending on external lawyers
Nearly three out of 10 corporate general counsel plan to cut spending on external lawyers – the highest proportion since 2020, a report has found.
City giant seeks to shift blame for errors that cost client £83m
City giant A&O Shearman can make the argument that others were to blame for a mistake that has so far cost its client Nationwide £83m, the High Court has ruled.
Law firm owned by accountancy consolidator to become ABS
The law firm set up last year by a fast-growing accountancy consolidator has applied to become an alternative business structure so as to expand its range of services.
Law firms urged to put ethics at heart of deciding who to act for
Law firms should adopt a ‘legitimate provenance of wealth test’ when taking on clients as part of an ethics-based approach that goes beyond legal or regulatory tests.
Legal market’s strong growth in 2024 set to continue this year
The UK legal services market grew by 10% to £52bn last year and is heading towards a strong 2025 too, according to new research.
Exclusive: Australian firm eyes major UK expansion with PE backing
An Australian law firm offering SMEs unlimited, on-demand legal services on a subscription basis is set to expand its UK operation after taking private equity investment.
Court allows City giant to progress ex-client’s claim on assignment
A major City law firm can continue bringing a case it took on assignment from former clients which could mitigate a possible professional negligence claim.
“Accusation without evidence” – tribunal slams SRA prosecution
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has castigated the Solicitors Regulation Authority for prosecuting a law firm and two partners based on “accusation without evidence”.
Innovative law group looks to upset competition with AI pricing
A legal business has pledged only to charge clients a “small mark-up” on services provided by AI, predicting that other law firms would “hate” it doing this.
Post Office scandal shows boards “need to oversee legal risk”
The Post Office scandal shows that company boards need to have “responsible oversight of legal risk” and not show “excessive deference” to legal advice, according to the IoD.
Embracing the Madness – firm begins acquisition push with music practice
A London law firm with a host of high-profile clients is targeting more acquisitions after bringing in a boutique practice particularly well known for its entertainment work.
London law firm takes stake in esports talent management agency
A London law firm has launched a talent management agency for esports and gaming professionals, in partnership with an established esports business.
Commercial firm launches all-embracing legal platform for SMEs
A national law firm has launched a legal platform aimed particularly at SMEs, which combines document generation with training, a ‘knowledge bank’ and advice from its lawyers.