Legal Services Act
US private equity house takes major stake in listed law firm
An American private equity house has become the largest external investor in DWF after taking a 4.5% stake in the listed law firm worth £10m.
Law firms “in denial” about their post-Covid finances
Law firms’ high level of confidence about the future – despite Covid-19 and Brexit – is at odds with a lax approach to finances and could indicate “an industry in denial”, new research has warned.
Big personal injury firms “to merge as market shrinks”
Some of the larger personal injury firms are set to merge while others will have to restructure, with the market set to reach a “watershed moment”, a report has predicted.
Frenkel Topping eyes National Accident Helpline acquisition
Frenkel Topping, best known for giving financial advice to seriously injured claimants with large awards, has approached the company that owns National Accident Helpline over a potential acquisition.
Exclusive: PI newcomer saves 100 jobs with Yorkshire firm pre-pack
The jobs of more than 100 staff at Yorkshire firm Heptonstalls have been saved by a start-up personal injury practice that aims to expand as others leave the market due to next year’s whiplash reforms.
“Hardest six months ever” for National Accident Helpline group
Revenue and profit have fallen sharply at NAHL plc – the owner of National Accident Helpline and ABS National Accident Law – after “the most challenging six months” in its history.
SRA Innovate “must work even harder” to combat digital exclusion
The SRA must work “even harder” through its Innovate programme to encourage technology that helps reduce digital exclusion, its new executive director for strategy and innovation said yesterday.
Firms worry about closing flagship offices post-Covid
Law firms worry that closing flagship offices in big cities as part of the shift to work from home will hit their market share and damage their local reputation, new research has found.
More judges to work flexibly in latest diversity push
More flexible working hours and a review of the eligibility criteria are part of the latest plan to improve diversity in the judiciary, especially in the senior ranks.
Private client lawyer targets wealthy with strategic consultancy
A senior private client lawyer has launched a strategic consultancy to advise wealthy individuals and families from around the world on succession, risk, governance and dispute resolution.
SME legal services platform goes global after City law firm invests
An online legal services platform for SMEs is offering its clients access to lawyers around the world following a “significant” investment from a City law firm, it has emerged.
Profits down but wills and divorce enquiries surge at Co-op
Revenue from legal services at the Co-op was flat in the first six months of this year, but profits fell by a third, the group’s half-year results have revealed.
Council shuts down law firm’s offices for “flouting” Covid-19 rules
A law firm linked with 18 cases of Covid-19 was ordered to shut its office with immediate effect last week after being accused of showing “disregard” for the health of its staff.
Government eyes regulating the law’s unregulated providers
The Ministry of Justice is considering whether to create a register of unregulated providers of legal services and give their clients access to redress if things go wrong, it emerged yesterday.
Listed firm records good results despite Covid-19
Listed law firm Keystone Law saw its turnover rise 6.5% in the first half of its financial year despite new instructions shrinking by nearly a third in the wake of lockdown.
Blog
It’s time for law firms to ask tougher questions
For years, many law firms have treated ID verification as a box-ticking exercise. Run a liveness check, match a face to a document and move on. But that is no longer good enough.
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
