Practice Management
“Outrage” as only partners are allowed to work from home
A union representing legal workers has expressed “outrage” at the “classist allocation of risk” that is seeing law firm partners working from home while other staff are forced into the office.
SRA: “Solicitors conceal disability for fear of harming careers”
Many disabled solicitors have downplayed the extent of their disability because they don’t trust law firms to treat them equally with their able colleagues, new research has revealed.
Court service set to pilot online PI claims system
A pilot for dealing with personal injury claims online is set to launch in late spring. It will be developed during the year so claims can be completed online all the way to the final hearing.
Barrister fails in race discrimination claim against chambers
A barrister expelled from a leading London set after a complaint by its senior clerk has comprehensively lost a race discrimination claim in the employment tribunal.
Video witnessing of deeds moves step closer
Witnessing deeds by video link has moved a step closer after the government accepted a call to set up an industry working group to consider it, while agreeing the law already allows electronic signatures.
Sexism denying female start-up founders investment
Female founders of legal start-ups are confronting sexism among investors, including having to answer demeaning questions like ‘have you frozen your eggs?’.
Most firms increasing bank borrowing, survey finds
There is a “real profitability divide” between larger and smaller law firms although income is generally increasing across the board, new research has found.
City firms “falling behind global rivals” on technology
Commercial law firms based in the UK are falling behind their global rivals in adopting new technology, including artificial intelligence and data analytics, a report has warned.
Judge attacks S&G for “wholly unacceptable” failure
A High Court judge has strongly criticised Slater & Gordon for a “wholly unacceptable” failure to give him a crucial letter when applying for an urgent injunction in a police misconduct case.
Solicitor wife compensated on divorce for career loss
A solicitor who sacrificed possible partnership at a magic circle law firm to have children has been awarded an extra £400,000 in her divorce settlement with an equity partner at the same firm.
Female lawyers project looks to accelerate progress
The team behind the First 100 Years has launched its latest project, The Next 100 Years, dedicated to achieving equality for women in law over the next decade.
Client “acted reasonably” in relying on incorrect advice
An employer acted reasonably in relying on legal advice that the restrictive covenants on a new employee were unlikely to be enforceable, even though they proved to be, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
Kennedys spins off technology product arm
Leading City law firm Kennedys has spun off its technology development into a separate business, dubbing its ‘Kennedys, without the lawyers’.
Lawyers need to take ‘whole person’ approach to clients
Law firms and other advisers are often organised so they only see a legal problem that needs to be resolved, rather than take a ‘whole person’ approach to clients, the head of a well-known legal charity has said.
Consumer forum uses IBM partnership to build legal chatbot
A partnership with IBM is helping leading consumer law forum LegalBeagles develop a chatbot that will answer the types of questions that people are regularly posting on the site.











