Smaller law firms eager to grow as confidence stays high
The proportion of smaller law firms saying that growth by merger or acquisition is more attractive following the pandemic has increased sharply, a report has found.
Commercial Court judges express frustration at parties’ excesses
Two Commercial Court judges have expressed annoyance with parties for taking unnecessary points, with one imposing a costs penalty in line with recent guidance.
Paralegal jailed for stealing £438k from law firm to feed gambling habit
A former paralegal at national law firm BLM has been jailed for three years and three months after pleading guilty to stealing £438,000 from the firm to feed his gambling habit.
Barrister given green light to pursue outstanding fees claim
The High Court has rejected an Italian law firm’s bid to stay a barrister’s claim for outstanding fees because of an action it took against him in its home country.
Identity of person instructing solicitors not covered by privilege
The High Court has rejected a company’s claim to litigation privilege over the identity of who instructed its lawyers, with the judge setting out a two-part test on what was a novel point.
Ex-managing partner misled tribunal in discrimination claim
A former law firm managing partner misled an employment tribunal in the course of pursuing a disability discrimination claim against his ex-partners.
MPs and peers urge bigger fines for lawyers who break AML rules
MPs and peers have called for “a radical overhaul” of anti-money laundering supervision, with regulators of lawyers urged to issue wrongdoers with “bigger, more public” fines.
Firm embraces poetry and drums in bid to stand out from the crowd
A North-East practice has taken the unusual step of turning to poetry and jazz drumming in a bid to stand out from the law firm crowd, with a campaign called ‘Fearlessly Solving’.
Plan to reduce time limit for complaints to LeO “goes too far”
A proposal by the Legal Ombudsman to cut the time limit for consumers to bring a complaint from six years to one “goes too far”, the Bar Standards Board has argued.
Data protection consultancy launches ABS to offer legal advice
A specialist data protection consultancy is now offering its clients legal advice after launching an alternative business structure to compete with large law firms.
