Company & Commercial
Insurance giant buys third law firm and on look-out for more
Insurance claims services business Gallagher Bassett has made its third law firm acquisition as it expands its legal offering into shipping and maritime law.
US company buys AI-driven ABS focused on asset management
An alternative business structure which specialises in work for the asset management industry has been acquired by a US software company.
Loss adjuster’s law firm makes first acquisition in growth push
A law firm owned by a major loss adjusting business has made its first acquisition as it ramps up what has already been an expansive 18 months.
No fiduciary relationship between solicitor and start-up investor
There was no fiduciary relationship between a solicitor acting for a start-up and its majority shareholders, and an investor in the company, the High Court has ruled.
City firm sets out which types of client it will not act for
The founder of a City law firm specialising in employment and commercial disputes has described how it declines to pitch for work with clients deemed “controversial or ineligible”.
Legal market to grow “in all areas” as PE extends reach
The legal services market will grow across all practice areas in 2026 for the first time since Covid, researchers have predicte, while a growing private equity presence is “a continuing theme”.
Law firm offers SMEs £17.50 AI contract reviews
A business law firm is offering SMEs contract reviews conducted entirely by artificial intelligence, costing just £17.50 for simple agreements.
Lawyers call on Law Commission to confirm new crypto approach
A coalition of 11 law firms has called on the Law Commission to confirm a provisional conclusion on the approach courts should take on jurisdiction and crypto-assets.
Practising barrister named a tax avoidance promoter in HMRC first
A practising barrister has for the first time been added to HM Revenue & Customs’ list of tax avoidance promoters.
Solicitors condemn HMRC plans for “deemed waiver” of privilege
Solicitors have condemned plans by HMRC to introduce a “deemed waiver” of privilege where tax avoidance scheme are marketed as being supported by a legal opinion.
Law firms look to offer clients AI assurance services
Law firms are in the race to offer companies artificial intelligence (AI) assurance services, according to a specialist AI and data lawyer.
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.
Blog
The ‘blank sheet’ challenge – what would you do differently?
The law is all about precedent and what came before. But imagine you had a blank sheet of paper and could start from scratch. What would you do differently? What would stay the same?
Why is Andrew Malkinson still paying for a crime he didn’t commit?
Like many in my profession and beyond, I have been moved by the case of Andrew Malkinson, the man who spent 17 years in prison for an awful crime he did not commit.
What is tech bloat and why is it a problem for law firms?
Too many law firms are adopting shiny new tech without first retiring their legacy systems, causing duplication and unnecessary costs.
