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Staying ahead of the game

07 April 2011 / Allan Carton
Issue: 7460 / Categories: Features , Profession
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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

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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