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.
Lawyers in hot water over tax troubles
A solicitor in debt to HM Revenue & Customs who supplied legal services without complying with a condition that he had first to give the taxman security for the VAT, has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Solicitor who forged bank statements and QC’s opinion struck off
A solicitor has been struck off after taking hundreds of thousands of pounds in client money and covering his tracks by forging a host of documents – from bank statements to building regulations certificates – and also falsifying leading counsel’s opinion.
Gibraltar-based law firm launches ABS and eyes external investment
An international finance and technology law practice involved in the online gaming and electronic payments industries, has become an alternative business structure to help its plans to grow as a group and set up offices across the European Union.
Rebukes for solicitors who used legal aid cash to cover their overheads
Three solicitors who used legal aid money meant to pay for disbursements to cover their firm’s overheads have been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Meanwhile, the regulator has made orders against non-solicitors who stole money and stationery from their firms.
Slater & Gordon bullish over progress in UK
Slater & Gordon’s leadership remains “convinced of the strategic merit” of taking on the UK consumer legal services market, its chief executive said yesterday as he revealed that it has had an encouraging start to the current financial year – although this was in part because of the jobs that have been cut in recent months.
Retired solicitor investor network poised to help lawtech start-ups
An ‘angel investor’ network is being constructed that promises to match ex-City partners with lawtech start-ups, to help them gain a foothold in large law firms with advice, contacts, and seed capital. The favoured model would see two investors each invest £50,000 in exchange for around 10% of the equity
Suspension and public access ban for ‘named and shamed’ barrister
The first and only lawyer to be ‘named and shamed’ by the Legal Ombudsman has been suspended from practice at the Bar for 14 months. Tariq Rehman was also prohibited from accepting or carrying out public access instructions for three years.
