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.
Tax tribunal strikes down QC’s own avoidance scheme
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has warned that having a complex tax avoidance scheme approved by a senior lawyer does not render it safe after a specialist tax QC who designed his own scheme saw it struck down.
Act now over ABSs or risk losing out, law firm warns insurance industry
A personal injury law firm has urged those in the insurance industry to wake up to the changes in the legal market and consider whether alternative business structures (ABSs) and other arrangements with lawyers offer them a lifeline.
Sheffield PI firm launches trio of ABSs as first accident management ABS secures broker deal
Personal injury firm Proddow Mackay has launched three alternative business structure (ABS) joint ventures in a bid to change strategy following the referral fee ban as Vamco, the first accident management company to become an ABS, has signed a deal with a large broker.
Consumer panel concern over struck-off solicitors acting as McKenzie Friends
Struck-off solicitors are acting as McKenzie Friends, raising ethical concerns and providing a service that gives no recourse to the Legal Ombudsman, the Legal Services Consumer Panel has warned as it highlighted issues around the unbundling of legal services that it is set to investigate.
LSB approves new approach to qualifying as a chartered legal executive
A new outcomes-focused approach to becoming a chartered legal executive, which could also cut the time it takes to qualify by reducing the ‘time served’ aspect of the process, has been approved by the Legal Services Board.
Regulation weighing down otherwise confident small firms, says survey
Small practices and sole practitioners are upbeat about their profession and confident in the future, but also burdened by regulation and concerned about winning new business, new research has found.
QASA boycott moves closer after two more circuits vote in favour
The prospect of barristers striking over the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) has moved closer after two more circuits voted to support it. However, the Bar Standards Board has hit back at claims that QASA is linked to price competitive tendering.
