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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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Brabners—Ben Lamb

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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
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