SMEs eye multi-disciplinary advisers amid increasing need for legal help
Nearly half of SMEs (48%) expect their need for legal advice to increase in the next 18 months, while there is strong interest in multi-disciplinary services, a survey has found.
LSB pushes for greater take-up of legal expenses insurance
Consumers who do not have legal expenses insurance greatly overestimate how expensive it is and are missing out on its potential to fill some justice gaps, research has argued.
From Cardiff to Norwich, Southampton to Newcastle – Knights eyes more M&A
Listed law firm Knights is eyeing up acquisition opportunities across England and Wales after its performance rebounded strongly in the second half of the year to take turnover over £100m.
Blockchain network aims to provide “missing link” for conveyancing
A house in Kent is the first being sold using a blockchain network that connects conveyancers with estate agents and mortgage lenders.
Mediators warn against compulsory ADR “on the cheap”
The Civil Mediation Council has warned against the idea that compulsory alternative dispute resolution needs to be “cheap or free”, particularly in lower-value cases.
CPS diversity declaration rule to put chambers under spotlight
The CPS is to use a new annual declaration by panel barristers of any protected characteristics to analyse the proportionality of case allocation and fee payments within chambers.
Public access barrister suspended over “hostile emails” to solicitors
A public access barrister who engaged in “unnecessarily hostile and antagonistic correspondence” with opposing solicitors has been suspended for six months.
Barrister and ABS owner launches legal recruitment firm
A practising barrister and sole director of an alternative business structure has added a third string to his bow by launching a legal recruitment firm.
Compulsory ADR is lawful, says Civil Justice Council group
Any form of compulsory ADR which is “not disproportionately onerous and does not foreclose the parties’ effective access to the court” is lawful, an expert group has concluded.
Law firm boss avoid costs order after losing whistleblowing claim
A law firm chief executive who lost his claim that he was fired for making protected disclosures has escaped a costs order even though a tribunal said it had no reasonable prospects of success.
