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07 April 2011 / Allan Carton
Issue: 7460 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Staying ahead of the game

Lawyers have a lot to learn from non legal, savvy professionals, says Allan Carton

With alternative business structures (ABS) due to be introduced in October 2011, it is a crunch year for legal practices which want to become more business-capable and tap into the various opportunities opening up for firms prepared to be innovative and meet new challenges. For some this could be an opportunity to acquire other practices to strengthen and grow their business, for others it’s an opportunity to be acquired—aiming for maximum value in return for the business. But proactive development of your practice doesn’t have to involve a change in structure or ownership. Taking a step back can enable any law firm to improve the performance of the business and introducing a positive approach to the new regulatory Outcomes Focused Regulation (OFR) requirements that come into effect in October could help drive your business forward.

Organisations such as Co-operative Legal Services are poised to capitalise on the commodity end of the legal market, which is likely to drive private

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Flint Bishop—Charlotte Harris

Flint Bishop—Charlotte Harris

Sheffield expansion continues with appointment of commercial property partner

Browne Jacobson—Paul Duggan

Browne Jacobson—Paul Duggan

Browne Jacobson strengthens banking and finance practice with latest partner appointment Paul Duggan

Ward Hadaway—Chris Piggott

Ward Hadaway—Chris Piggott

Employment partner joins Ward Hadaway

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

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