
In-house solicitor brings libel claim over accusatory press release
A senior solicitor at the Environment Agency is suing a director of a garden centre business for libel and harassment after he successfully prosecuted the man for waste offences.

Inward investment consultancy becomes ABS after “exponential growth”
A professional services consultancy specialising in advice to foreign businesses wanting to set up in the UK has become an alternative business structure after “exponential growth” in 2020.

Lottery funding helps law firm launch free Covid fines app
A not-for-profit criminal law firm has launched a free web app aimed at people who have been issued fines for breaching the Coronavirus Regulations.

Second provider reveals price for SQE preparation courses
QLTS School has become only the second training provider to announce how much it will charge students to prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination from next year.

BT takes legal near-shoring option with Northern Ireland move
Communications giant BT has become the first non-law firm to open a legal hub in Northern Ireland, investing over £2.7m to create up to 30 lawyer jobs in Belfast over the next four years.

Barrister “of good judgement” was not negligent over client’s conviction
A barrister of “good judgement” who had to make rapid decisions in a “pressurised environment” was not negligent even though it turned out her client was wrongly convicted.

Law firm and start-ups awarded government cash to develop lawtech
One law firm and five lawtech businesses have each received around £100,000 of government money to develop and accelerate commercialisation of their products and services during the pandemic.

Ince disposes of first post-listing acquisition amid positive results
Ince Group has unveiled a strong international performance this year to make up for a dip in UK revenues, while also disposing of the first law firm it acquired after listing.

Legal Ombudsman dilemma: Increase funding or find an alternative
The decision on whether to approve a 19% increase in the Legal Ombudsman’s budget is likely to be “finely balanced”, with the possibility of having to find an alternative to it lurking in the background.

Leading conveyancing firm spends £27m on referral business
Leading conveyancing firm O’Neill Patient – which was last year bought by a private equity firm – has spent £27m to buy a platform providing services to mortgage brokers and estate agents.









