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Litigation trends: technology, diversity, and Brexit

31 January 2020
Issue: 7872 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Brexit
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Law firms should embrace technology, flexible hours and remote working to break down barriers in the legal profession, the President of the London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA) has said

The annual NLJ and LSLA Litigation Trends Survey, published this week, reveals that 83% of the Capital’s litigators believe more needs to be done to improve diversity and inclusion in the profession. One respondent said that BAME (Black and minority ethnic) lawyers were prevalent at the middle levels of the profession but talent ‘is not being progressed to the higher levels’ in the legal profession.

Respondents were asked what areas firms should focus on to boost diversity and inclusion. The top three areas given were: encouraging flexible working and job sharing (81%); promoting and supporting social mobility (77%); and focusing on workplace culture to create a place where every voice is welcomed, heard and respected (75%).

Julian Acratopulo, LSLA President and Clifford Chance partner, said: ‘I firmly believe that technology is absolutely key to this.

‘Diversity and technology go hand in hand, and need to be viewed as such.  Better digitisation opens up more opportunities for lawyers to work flexibly or remotely (as cases can be conducted online rather than in person).  This helps to break down the barriers that can dissuade people from joining or progressing in the profession.’

Brexit could boost profits: two-thirds predict an ‘inevitable’ post-Brexit spike in litigation affecting cross-border businesses. Only 28% expect a material flight of litigation work from London after Brexit.

More than a third (38%) perceived the litigation market as unchanged in the past two or three years, and 44% said it was growing.

Moreover, the cost of litigation in London is not a significant factor for clients, according to 58% of litigators. Multiple respondents said London remains favourable due to its reputation for high quality judges, judicial independence and procedural features.

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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