Barristers face decade of higher practising fees to plug Bar Council pension fund hole
Barristers are set to pay 10% extra for their practising certificates for the next decade, first to plug a multi-million pound hole in the Bar Council’s pension fund and then to buy it out and remove all future liabilities.
Truss throws down gauntlet to profession on diversity as she plans more routes to bench
There need to be more women and ethnic minorities at senior levels of law firms and taking silk, the Lord Chancellor said yesterday as she pledged action to “force the pace of change” in improving diversity in the legal profession. She announced new measures to encourage experienced lawyers from all fields – and especially solicitors – to seek senior judicial roles.
Futurologist: AI-based future “means opportunities for lawyers”
Technology is transforming the world at a furious pace and artificial intelligence (AI) and the legal frameworks that will emerge from it and similar developments, offer “massive opportunities” for lawyers, according to a leading futurologist.
Slater & Gordon targets improved customer experience
Making the consumer journey “more flexible, faster and less expensive”, along with giving clients more control, will be the key to the success of Slater & Gordon, its UK chief executive said this week. Ken Fowlie said he was also “determined to make a success” of the firm’s strategy of becoming a dominant consumer law brand, while admitting to “bumps on the road”.
Female lawyers fear “Trump effect”
Leading women lawyers have expressed their concerns that Donald Trump’s victory in the race for US president will have a negative impact on the legal profession in this country. Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, chairman of the Bar Council, said that a “tendency towards populism” was common to both the Brexit referendum result and the election of Trump.
Winn reveals masterplan to create listed personal injury giant
The managing director of a leading personal injury firm has revealed that he and his private equity backers have a masterplan to combine three personal injury practices into a firm large enough to be listed on the London stock market.
Complaints against lawyers fall to their lowest level yet
The number of complaints against lawyers that reach the Legal Ombudsman has fallen to its lowest level since the organisation opened in 2010, its annual report has shown. Residential conveyancing, family, personal injury, wills and probate, and litigation were the most complained about areas of law.
DWF becomes first law firm to join performance improvement network
Fast-growing national practice DWF has become the first law firm to join the British Quality Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation set up by government and industry which describes itself as Europe’s largest corporate membership organisation dedicated to performance improvement. Other members include Marks & Spencer, Virgin Media and O2.
“Brand-driven” law firm becomes ABS to start rolling out concept, starting with its own chambers
A “brand-driven” solicitors’ practice specialising in employment law has become an alternative business structure in order to bring its ‘virtual’ barristers’ chambers under the ABS umbrella. Once the concept is proven, it aims to roll it out across other areas of practice.
Tribunal starts hearing competition law action brought against Law Society
The Competition Appeal Tribunal will today begin hearing a training provider’s claim that the Law Society acted anti-competitively by requiring law firms to buy its own training in order to maintain their Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation.
