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Mind your step

05 February 2014 / Simon Love
Issue: 7593 / Categories: Features , Regulatory
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Simon Love provides a warning to firms facing financial difficulty

A year ago, the failure of a law firm was virtually unheard of. That sort of thing simply didn’t happen to solicitors. However, a number of high profile failures have made it clear that the solicitors’ profession is not immune to the prevailing harsh economic conditions. Following the intervention by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) into Follett Stock LLP in November 2013, Helen Herniman, the SRA’s Director of Client Protection, said: “The legal services market is facing a tough economic environment and other firms may find they are in a similar position. We’d urge all those who may be struggling financially to get in touch as soon as possible with either ourselves at the SRA, or other organisations that can offer advice such as their local Law Society.”

Why are more law firms at risk of insolvency?

It is undoubtedly the case that the solicitors market is having to face up to historic challenges on every front. All firms are grappling with the fact

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Slater Heelis—Chester office

Slater Heelis—Chester office

North West presence strengthened with Chester office launch

Cooke, Young & Keidan—Elizabeth Meade

Cooke, Young & Keidan—Elizabeth Meade

Firm grows commercial disputes expertise with partner promotion

CBI South-East Council—Mike Wilson

CBI South-East Council—Mike Wilson

Blake Morgan managing partner appointed chair of CBI South-East Council

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The proposed £11bn redress scheme following the Supreme Court’s motor finance rulings is analysed in this week’s NLJ by Fred Philpott of Gough Square Chambers
In this week's issue, Stephen Gold, NLJ columnist and former district judge, surveys another eclectic fortnight in procedure. With humour and humanity, he reminds readers that beneath the procedural dust, the law still changes lives
Generative AI isn’t the villain of the courtroom—it’s the misunderstanding of it that’s dangerous, argues Dr Alan Ma of Birmingham City University and the Birmingham Law Society in this week's NLJ
James Naylor of Naylor Solicitors dissects the government’s plan to outlaw upward-only rent review (UORR) clauses in new commercial leases under Schedule 31 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, in this week's NLJ. The reform, he explains, marks a seismic shift in landlord-tenant power dynamics: rents will no longer rise inexorably, and tenants gain statutory caps and procedural rights
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