Law firm fee income up by 6%, benchmarking survey finds
The financial performance of smaller law firms has improved over last year, with both fee income and profits up significantly above inflation, according to an annual benchmarking survey published this week. Very little increase in salary costs, improved lock-up, and reductions in both WIP and debtor days contributed to the positive picture.
Report: unmet legal need puts heat on MPs’ surgeries
Constituents are increasingly seeing legal advice at MPs’ surgeries, while more than a third of legal problems involve housing and almost a quarter immigration, according to an assessment of unmet legal need in London. MPs across the political spectrum had become aware of rising legal need, it found.
Exclusive: Family Law Café goes live with lawyer ‘mentors’ to help clients navigate their cases
A novel online family law service that uses experienced lawyers to mentor and manage clients through the legal process has gone live. Family Law Café is the brainchild of Joanna Toch, a barrister at Church Court Chambers in London, and she has secured financial backing from private individuals, including corporate lawyers.
SQE will be of “similar difficulty” to US bar exam – as it draws very mixed response from profession and educators
The solicitors qualifying examination (SQE) is likely to be of similar difficulty to the test American lawyers have to pass to qualify, but may actually seem harder to those taking it, according to the body that develops licensing tests for bar admission in the US.
Scotland launches McClementi review to promote innovation and competition in legal market
The Scottish government has launched its own version of the Clementi review by appointing a panel of non-lawyers and lawyers to examine the regulation of the profession, with a particular focus on unregulated providers and their impact on consumers.
SDT strikes off solicitor who plundered client funds to play the property market
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal last week struck off a solicitor who used more than £500,000 from the estates of deceased clients over seven years, mainly to play the property market and repay debts. His own brother complained to the SRA after the solicitor failed to administer the estate of his own late father.
QualitySolicitors looks to exploit network with national retailer deal
The QualitySolicitors network is to enter a three-month trial to supply legal services to retail chain Nisa, as it pushes to exploit its national network. Nisa is the UK’s leading member-owned organisation, providing benefits to 1,300 independent food and drink markets.
Blockchain technology will be “game changer” in conveyancing
Blockchain-backed ‘smart contracts’ will be a “game changer” in property transactions, increasing certainty for buyers and sellers as well as speeding up the house-buying process, it has been claimed. It follows the successful pilot of a fraud-resistant blockchain-based title registration system by Sweden’s land registry.
No LPC or training contract required: SRA confirms plan to revolutionise training
Would-be solicitors will not have to go through the legal practice course and a two-year training contract to qualify in future, after the Solicitors Regulation Authority confirmed it is pressing ahead with its new training regime – but it has delayed implementation by a year to September 2020.
ABS preparing to launch group negligence action against conveyancers
An alternative business structure is preparing to launch a group negligence action against conveyancers working for the developers and purchasers of ‘help to buy’ leasehold housing. Louie Burns, managing partner and co-owner of Leasehold Law, said the total damages claimed could potentially top £500m.
