Legal Services Act
Most firms increasing bank borrowing, survey finds
There is a “real profitability divide” between larger and smaller law firms although income is generally increasing across the board, new research has found.
City firms “falling behind global rivals” on technology
Commercial law firms based in the UK are falling behind their global rivals in adopting new technology, including artificial intelligence and data analytics, a report has warned.
Early advice enthusiast takes on legal aid brief at MoJ
A criminal law barrister who has called for the restoration of legal aid for early advice has become the new minister at the Ministry of Justice responsible for legal aid.
MoJ: Three months is enough to prepare for whiplash reforms
Three months should be enough time for personal injury law firms and defendant insurers to be ready for the whiplash reforms, the government official leading the work said yesterday.
Planning consultancy targets referrals with ABS
A planning consultancy has created an alternative business structure to handle the legal work associated with planning applications, targeting referrals from small law firms.
It’s official: Whiplash reforms delayed by five months
The Ministry of Justice today bowed to the inevitable and announced that implementation of the whiplash reforms will be delayed from 6 April to 1 August, while its plans for ADR have been ditched.
Whiplash: Decision to ditch ADR condemned
Claimant representatives have questioned whether the whiplash reform dealy is long enough, and also condemned the government for dropping the provision of ADR for cases where liability is disputed.
XR protest set to target Slaughters first, with more to come
Slaughter and May will tomorrow become the first City law firm targeted for its work with fossil fuel companies by campaign group Lawyers for Extinction Rebellion.
LOD launches unregulated firm for in-house advice
Flexible lawyering business LOD has launched an unregulated law firm, staffed entirely by former in-house solicitors, to help companies with “everyday in-house work”.
Female family lawyers’ group to push for senior roles
An association for female family lawyers will be launched next month, embracing all levels of seniority from High Court judges to paralegals, with the immediate aim of creating a national mentoring scheme. Founding chair Hannah Markham QC said among the… Read More
“Redesign legal services” to make them more accessible
The way legal services are provided needs to change to recognise that a large portion of the population struggles with the law and needs more help with accessing it, new research has urged.
Superheroes bid to save nation from legal ignorance
The public shares a widespread concern that their rights are being eroded and that they need to know more about the law, according to research by the main three lawyer groups published today to mark Justice Week. People were particularly… Read More
LSB ramp ups pressure on regulatory independence
The Legal Services Board is ramping up pressure on the Law Society, the Bar Council and other approved regulators over ensuring the independence of their regulatory arms.
Number of conveyancing firms falls to new low
The number of conveyancing law firms has fallen to a new low as the market felt the “full brunt” of Brexit-related political and economic uncertainty last year, new research has found.
CMC numbers plunge by 40% under FCA regime
The number of authorised claims management companies has plunged by almost 40% since the Financial Conduct Authority took over regulation last April, and has refused to authorise one for the first time.
Blog
Legal director: an alternative to partnership
Firms are increasingly acknowledging the need for alternative senior roles – positions that offer influence and recognition without the obligations of ownership.
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.
