Robot takeover of lawyers’ work “unlikely to be as far-reaching or as fast as predicted”
Automation by computers is unlikely to replace much of the work currently done by lawyers any time soon and the negative employment effects of technology have been overstated, according to a study.
Insurer sidesteps ABS with new legal venture
LV= has created its legal offering to offer an extra service to its members and customers, rather than to make any great profit, its claims director has told Legal Futures. The new venture is not an alternative business structure, unlike all the other such arrangements between insurers and law firms.
Consumer rights forum launches legal services comparison website
Legal Beagles, a consumer rights forum, has launched a comparison website using its own research on fixed fees to decide which law firms are listed. Kate Briscoe, chief executive of Legal Beagles, said only around 500 firms published fixed fees on their websites.
LV= is latest insurer to enter legal services market
LV= has become the latest major insurer to enter the legal services market after forming a joint venture with Bristol-based Lyons Davidson. LV= Legal Services is offering fixed-fee advice for wills, powers of attorney, probate, conveyancing, personal injury and employment law.
SDT: Millions of pounds not repaid as Barnett tried to keep firm afloat
Southport law firm Barnetts was a business in “dire straits” and other solicitors “would feel ashamed” at the actions of its senior partner in trying to keep it afloat, which included misusing and not repaying a £4.86m loan, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has ruled.
Major figures from legal world scoop New Year’s honours
The first female president of the Law Society, the former senior partner of City giant Allen & Overy, a former chairman of the Bar Council, and a media lawyer personally rewarded by the Queen, are among those from the legal world recognised in this year’s New Year’s honours.
Government trumpets insurer pledge to pass on whiplash reform savings – but not how it will be monitored
Leading insurers have committed to giving customers 100% of the savings made from the proposed personal injury reforms, the government announced today – but did not explain if or how this pledge would be monitored and enforced.
Better online information key to improving access to justice, MoJ report finds
A lack of clear online information is a critical barrier to ordinary people knowing how to resolve their civil justice problems, Ministry of Justice research has found. The report said not-for-profit advice sector advice agencies “need to be supported”.
Barrister who claimed to have “same freedoms” as solicitor loses appeal against suspension
A barrister who told a direct access client he had “all the same freedoms” as a solicitor to conduct litigation, when he did not, has lost a High Court appeal against his three-month suspension. Garnham J described Oliver White’s misconduct as “serious”.
Slater & Gordon tight-lipped as Australian law firms recruit shareholders for group actions
Slater & Gordon (S&G) has remained tight-lipped as two Australian law firms invite shareholders in S&G to register for potential group actions against it. One of the firms, Maurice Blackburn, said concerns centred on the “timing and accuracy” of information released by S&G.
