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07 October 2016 / Jeff Hemming
Issue: 7717 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Data-savvy law

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Smart data practices can improve work practices and profits in law firms, says Jeff Hemming

Smart data helps law firms understand business development drivers, establish key metrics and continuously measure against them. A smart data strategy that enables law firms to use data to find ways of working smarter and not harder is key at a time of increasing global competition in the legal sector. For example, US firms are achieving much greater profitability than their UK counterparts. If the UK top tier’s global net profit margin of 37% could match the US top tier’s of 46%, it would generate, on average, £115m of additional profit equating to £229,000 per partner (source: PwC 2015 Annual law firms’ survey).

Against this backdrop, it is vital that firms use data to provide the business intelligence they need to remain competitive. Legal professionals will see real benefits from translating raw data into actionable information that helps them respond to client demands for more resources, more time, and greater productivity—improving results and reducing costs along the way.

An evidence

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Laytons ETL—Maximilian Kraitt

Laytons ETL—Maximilian Kraitt

Commercial firm strengthens real estate disputes team with associate hire

Switalskis—three appointments

Switalskis—three appointments

Firm appoints three directors to board

Browne Jacobson—seven promotions

Browne Jacobson—seven promotions

Six promoted to partner and one to legal director across UK and Ireland offices

NEWS

From blockbuster judgments to procedural shake-ups, the courts are busy reshaping litigation practice. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School hails the Court of Appeal's 'exquisite judgment’ in Mazur restoring the role of supervised non-qualified staff, and highlights a ‘mammoth’ damages ruling likened to War and Peace, alongside guidance on medical reporting fees, where a pragmatic 25% uplift was imposed

Momentum is building behind proposals to restrict children’s access to social media—but the legal and practical challenges are formidable. In NLJ this week, Nick Smallwood of Mills & Reeve examines global moves, including Australia’s under-16 ban and the UK's consultation
Reforms designed to rebalance landlord-tenant relations may instead penalise leaseholders themselves. In this week's NLJ, Mike Somekh of The Freehold Collective warns that the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 risks creating an ‘underclass’ of resident-controlled freehold companies
Timing is everything—and the Court of Appeal has delivered clarity on when proceedings are ‘brought’. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ, Stephen Gold explains that a claim is issued for limitation purposes when the claim form is delivered to the court, even if fees are underpaid
The traditional ‘single, intensive day’ of financial dispute resolution (FDR) may be due for a rethink. Writing in NLJ this week, Rachel Frost-Smith and Lauren Guiler of Birketts propose a ‘split FDR’ model, separating judicial evaluation from negotiation
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