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Law in 2025

17 March 2025
Issue: 8109 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
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Ten years from now law firms will place more value on human traits such as empathy and other soft skills, according to 78% of heads of legal at global companies

The Simmons & Simmons survey of 500 top corporate counsel, ‘Law firm of the future’, published last week, found 77% predict the desired skillset for lawyers will transform, with more demand for multidisciplinary skills such as technological proficiency alongside legal expertise.

More than four out of five agreed law firms will become more wellbeing focused within the decade—both for their clients and employees. Some 74% predict disruption to services and pricing due to technological advances, and 75% said they expect tech to act as a force for good, for example, by opening up access to law for under-served communities.

Simmons & Simmons’ senior partner Julian Taylor said: ‘It’s clear the profession is on the cusp of a deep transformation.’

Issue: 8109 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
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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
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
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
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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
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