header-logo header-logo

Gearing up

16 March 2012 / Giles Murphy
Issue: 7505 / Categories: Features , Legal services , Profession
printer mail-detail

Giles Murphy considers how the Legal Services Act will drive up competition & efficiency

News of M&A activity between law firms and businesses from outside the profession has come thick and fast in recent weeks and the unforgiving economic climate is likely to fuel this activity.

In recent weeks, we have seen Silverbeck Rymer acquired by Quindell Portfolio, Russell Jones & Walker join with Slater & Gordon, and DLA Piper has invested in LawVest, to name just a few.

Commentators have been saying for a long time that the Legal Services Act 2007 will accelerate consolidation among professional firms in the High Street, but few, if any, had predicted significant interest in alternative business structures from firms among the top 100. While recent events seem to confirm there is interest from the larger firms, a survey by Smith & Williamson of law firms found that 34% of the top 100 practices are interested in joining with a non-legal practice in the next two years.* 

While we are unlikely to see magic circle firms tie
If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll