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Lawyers top league in bid for survival

01 January 2009
Issue: 7350+7351 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
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Profession

Law firms are leading the way in trying to lessen the impact of the credit crunch and the recession on their businesses, a new poll shows.
Bridging Finance Limited, which contacted over 3,000 businesses in the north west, says the legal sector has been the most proactive in protecting themselves during the economic downturn.
Nearly 60% of the legal firms polled said they had shed staff in the midterm quarter, prior to the November 2008 survey. The results also showed that legal firms are the most likely to review their credit control procedures. However, over 80% of the legal fi rms taking part reported that their plans for funding staff development had not altered.
Meanwhile, law firms facing imminent tax deadlines have been thrown a lifeline. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has agreed arrangements, proposed by the Law Society, for law firms to defer paying tax during the economic downturn. The arrangements will be managed through HMRC’s Business Support Service, and cover most tax and excise duties including income tax, corporation tax, VAT, PAYE and national insurance.

Issue: 7350+7351 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Carey Olsen—Kim Paiva

Carey Olsen—Kim Paiva

Group partner joins Guernsey banking and finance practice

Morgan Lewis—Kat Gibson

Morgan Lewis—Kat Gibson

London labour and employment team announces partner hire

Foot Anstey McKees—Chris Milligan & Michael Kelly

Foot Anstey McKees—Chris Milligan & Michael Kelly

Double partner appointment marks Belfast expansion

NEWS
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Writing in NLJ this week, NLJ columnist Dominic Regan surveys a landscape marked by leapfrog appeals, costs skirmishes and notable retirements. With an appeal in Mazur due to be heard next month, Regan notes that uncertainties remain over who will intervene, and hopes for the involvement of the Lady Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls in deciding the all-important outcome
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The latest Home Office figures confirm that stop and search remains both controversial and diminished. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Parpworth of De Montfort University analyses data showing historically low use of s 1 PACE powers, with drugs searches dominating what remains
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