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05 June 2019
Issue: 7843 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal services
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Big Four v Big Law

Law firms are under ‘sustained attack’ from accountancy firms, a report claims

It cites research showing the Big Four accountancy firms―Deloitte, PwC, KPMG and EY―could draw annual revenue of £23.5bn from legal services, and that PwC currently has 3,600 lawyers.

Prism, a managed IT service provider, which published the report, ‘Enhanced productivity for the legal sector’, this week, found that two-thirds of law firms are ‘concerned’ about the threat posed by accounting firms and others, and 45% consider them to be a ‘major threat’. It notes that commoditisation of legal work and pressure from clients for better deals has ramped up cost pressures on law firms.

Millennial clients, in particular, it says, ‘put a high value on customer experience and are only willing to hire for a fixed fee’, and they want seamless remote contact.

Prism also cites research showing 2.3 hours per week are lost searching for but not finding past emails and documents. This may cost some law firms more than £50,000 per lawyer per year.

 

Issue: 7843 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal services
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys further bolsters Private Equity expertise with the appointment of James Paterson

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons strengthens Rural Affairs team with senior appointment

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley adds insurance mergers and acquisitions partner to London office

NEWS
Consultant-led law firms should prepare for closer regulatory attention as oversight evolves
Artificial intelligence may draft workplace grievances, but employers cannot treat them any differently from conventional complaints
From dishonest claimants to judicial promotions and procedural skirmishes, the latest legal developments offer plenty for litigators to digest
Fresh guidance is set to influence how courts decide whether hearings take place online or in person
County Court judges remain divided over whether landlords can lawfully force entry to carry out essential safety inspections after tenants ignore access injunctions
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