
ICAEW authorises first non-ABS firm to carry out probate work
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has authorised the first non-ABS accountancy firm to carry out probate work.

United Law becomes third Connect2Law hub to launch own brand
Trethowans, based in Southampton and Salisbury, has become the third regional firm and former hub in Pannone’s Connect2Law network to launch its own brand – United Law. It has 98 members in Dorset, Hampshire and part of Wiltshire.

Direct access service partners with litigation funder to offer barristers upfront fees
Direct access service myBarrister has joined forces with litigation funder Augusta Ventures to help clients finance their cases – and offer barristers the prospect of upfront payment of some of their fees.

Law Society made ‘one-off’ payment to Hudson
The Law Society made a one-off payment to its now retired chief executive Des Hudson under a ‘settlement agreement’ to offset a non-compete clause, it has emerged.

Law firms urged to reinvent themselves in LASPO era
The changes in the legal market, particularly the ability of ordinary people to access justice, means law firms have to reinvent themselves, one of the country’s best-known solicitors claimed yesterday.

SRA’s competence statement wins high marks from solicitors
Solicitors, consumers and businesses who took part in research for the Solicitors Regulation Authority have given high marks to a draft competence statement, which aims to define the standards needed to enter and remain in the profession.

Grech: no legal services provider in the world has client base of Slater & Gordon
No law firm in the world has a client base like Slater & Gordon’s, its managing director claimed today. Andrew Grech also said that aside from the “dislocation” of a few senior staff at Pannone, integration of its various acquisitions has gone well.

Average big firm PEP tops £1m but fee income per hour falls
Average profit per equity partner (PEP) for the top 10 law firms has exceeded £1m for first time since 2008, reaching £1.03m, while they also recorded a record average profit margin of 40%, PwC has reported.

Rating and review website recruits 1,300 solicitors
Over 1,300 solicitors – from small practices to some of the biggest in the City – have joined rating and review website VouchedFor, and 1,100 client reviews have already been posted, the company has said.

Nearly half of law firms secured cheaper indemnity cover, survey suggests
Nearly half of law firms – 47% – secured cheaper indemnity insurance this year, a survey has suggested. Half of these obtained “significant” reductions. It also indicated a move by firms from unrated to rated insurers.









