Guess who’s coming to dinner? LSB’s register of hospitality revealed
A range of law firms and commercial interests have been wining and dining representatives of the Legal Services Board (LSB), according to information released to Legal Futures under the Freedom of Information Act.
Revealed: Law Society considers aptitude test to reduce numbers on LPC
The Law Society is considering introducing an aptitude test for entry onto the legal practice course that will reduce student numbers, Legal Futures can reveal. Other initiatives being examined are a “warts and all” guide to qualification as a solicitor and incentives for firms to provide training contracts.
Battle for thought leadership as LexisNexis brings in Rozenberg to launch new think tank
Legal publisher LexisNexis has launched the latest legal think tank under the chairmanship of leading legal journalist Joshua Rozenberg. Halsbury’s Law Exchange aims to generate research and debate over a range of key legal issues, including legal services reform.
Marketing staff shortage as top firms turn to hiring to make up huge revenue falls
The top law firms are looking to bulk up their business development capacity as they face a major reduction in their fees, a survey has claimed. With partners in the top 10 firms seeing their average billable fees fall by £875,000 last year, recruitment consultancy Ambition says firms have responded by hiring marketing staff.
Institute of Legal Cashiers and Administrators steps up bid to become regulatory body
The Institute of Legal Cashiers and Administrators is to change its name to the Institute of Legal Finance and Management as it steps up its bid to become a regulatory body and have a member of staff in every legal practice qualified in legal accounting.
Face-to-face legal advice via the Internet as law firm buys Capita’s helpline
West Midlands law firm Forum Law is planning to give legal advice over the Internet after buying Capita Assistance’s legal helpline business. Called Legal Assistance Direct (LAD), the service already had contracts to provide legal advice to over five million client customers of various institutions. It currently receives around 35-40,000 calls a year.
To publish or not? LeO reopens debate on naming and shaming firms over complaints
The controversial prospect of publishing law firms’ complaints records will be put firmly back on the agenda with a consultation by the Legal Ombudsman, Legal Futures can report.
SRA to warn firms not to enter into binding agreements with external investors yet
Law firms preparing to become alternative business structures should not enter into binding contractual agreements with prospective external owners, the Solicitors Regulation Authority is likely to warn this week.
ARP crackdown “on track”, but almost half of firms still owe premiums
Almost half of the law firms in the assigned risks pool (ARP) still owe premiums running to millions of pounds, although the ARP enforcement strategy has encouraged some to pay up, it has emerged.
Firms and chambers set for obligation to publish staff diversity data from next year
The Legal Services Board is pushing ahead with plans to require law firms and chambers to publish comprehensive diversity and class information about their staff from next year, Legal Futures has learned.
