Legal Services Act
Boutique firm for funders combines legal and political advice
A boutique law firm catering only for “sophisticated” capital funders is offering what is believed to be the first combined legal, commercial and political advisory service.
Consumers must know more about the law and lawyers
Most people know very little about how the law works in the UK, research has found, with 44% admitting that they did not know the difference between a solicitor, lawyer or barrister.
Communications giant hands over ABS to listed law firm
Communications giant BT has handed over ownership of its alternative business structure to listed law firm DWF, it has emerged. Meanwhile, an Italian law firm has set up a BSB-regulated ABS.
Exclusive: CMA ramps up pressure on Bar Standards Board
The Competition and Markets Authority has ramped up the pressure on the Bar Standards Board over its decision to stop funding the cross-regulator Legal Choices website.
First minister promises major legal reform for Wales
The Welsh government has pledged rapid action on a major report that recommended substantial reform to the way the law is administered and legal profession supported in Wales.
Law firm EOT “gives staff security against sale”
Transferring the ownership of law firms to employee ownership trusts (EOTs) boosts staff loyalty by giving them more security if the firm is sold, the chief executive of the latest firm to create an EOT has said.
Listed law firm leads fresh M&A rush
There has been a spate of merger and acquisition activity among law firms across the country over recent weeks, with listed firm Knights yesterday entering Birmingham in a £4.7m deal.
Warning shot for BSB after it axes Legal Choices funding
The Legal Services Board has issued a thinly veiled warning to the Bar Standards Board over the need to invest “substantially” in consumer information after withdrawing from funding Legal Choices.
Reed Smith looks to “future proof” practice as ABS
The English arm of international law firm Reed Smith has become an alternative business structure as it looks to “future proof” its practice by offering non-legal services and hiring non-lawyer partners.
MoJ scotches hopes of whiplash shift over children
The Ministry of Justice has refused to give way to the concerns of claimant groups that children who suffer whiplash injuries lasting less than nine months will be denied access to justice under next April’s reforms.
MoJ: No change to whiplash reform timetable
The Ministry of Justice is continuing to work towards April 2020 to implement the whiplash reforms despite the upcoming election, it has confirmed.
“Turn-around” specialist sought to head Legal Ombudsman
The Legal Services Board is looking for a person with experience of “turn-around situations” to become the new chair of the Office of Legal Complaints, the board which oversees the Legal Ombudsman.
LSB builds case for ‘continuing competence’ push
The Legal Services Board has heard calls for regulators to take a more “hands-on” approach to ensuring that lawyers remain competent through their careers.
Conveyancers “need not fear” home buying shake-up
A “single source of truth” that contains all the information about a property before it goes on the market is in the works as part of plans to speed up the home buying and selling process, it has emerged.
Mega-survey highlights need to grow “legal confidence”
The largest legal needs survey ever run in England and Wales shows what a difference professional advice and ‘legal confidence’ among consumers makes to the outcome of their matters.
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.
