Strong consumer interest in legal services from brands
A majority of consumers would consider buying legal services from big brands, but publicity around alternative business structures and new ways to access the law over the past two years has not increased their appetite, research has indicated.
Row over unrated insurers erupts after SRA bids to calm Balva worries
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is holding firm against criticism over its position on unrated professional indemnity insurers after Latvian underwriter Balva – which covers 1,300 law firms – was prohibited from writing new UK business.
Oh baby – Bar Council finally launches first ever Bar Nursery
Barristers and chambers staff now have access to a nursery nears the Inns of Court in the first of what could be a national network of childcare facilities. The Bar Nursery has been launched five years after the idea was first mooted.
Number of individuals and firms in dock over COLP and COFA failures rises to 800
The total number of firms and individuals in trouble with the Solicitors Regulation Authority over nominations for compliance officers has risen by a third in the past month to nearly 800, it has emerged.
Smithers wins Law Society election as high street dominates top jobs
Property lawyer Jonathan Smithers has won the five-way election to become the next deputy vice-president of the Law Society. Mr Smithers’ election means that from July the Law Society office-holders will all be high street solicitors.
Council for Licensed Conveyancers: regulatory ambitions stretch well beyond conveyancers
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has confirmed it will again attempt to extend the scope of services it regulates later this year and fired the opening shot of a campaign to issue licenses to individuals who are not conveyancers.
Quarter of conveyancers have experienced attempted fraud, while third pay referral fees
A quarter of conveyancing firms have experienced a client attempting to commit property-related fraud or money laundering, new research has revealed. This frequency suggests that many firms “might be over-optimistic” about the likelihood of encountering similar attempts in the future
Time nearly up for hourly billing as in-house lawyers ask firms to share risk
There is a widespread desire to move away from the hourly rate model, according to a survey of in-house lawyers that found them wanting their external law firms to share risk. Senior counsel at 80 international companies believe that law firms should provide ‘budget certainty’.
Do small law firms have a brand?
Brands are not just for big firms. Thayne Forbes argues that they can work for smaller practices as well, explaining how to create one, where the value lies, ensuring it appeals to your target market and the risks of adopting a marketing collective’s brand instead.
Solicitor and barrister join forces to set up construction ABS
A solicitor and a barrister have joined forces in a start-up alternative business structure (ABS) that will service construction sector clients and has ambitions to employ a range of professionals associated with the building industry.
