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10 June 2016 / Arlene Adams
Issue: 7702 / Categories: Features , Profession , Technology
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Time for change

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More law firms must continue to re-invent themselves, says Arlene Adams

Peppermint Technology’s latest research takes a broad look at the professional services market. How Law Firms Measure Up Against Other Sectors compares the management practices of lawyers to accountants and consultants.

Close attention was paid to the sectors’ willingness to innovate; their willingness to invest in future innovation and whether they have done so up to now. These are all indicators of their levels of awareness of the competitive era to come.

The research found that a third of law firms have not been involved in any business innovations in the last two years, a much higher figure than the other two sectors and an indication, perhaps, that law firms are continuing to spend money just to stand still, instead of innovating and adding value.

Law firms invest only 4.1% of turnover in IT, compared to consultancy (4.9%), and accountancy (5.1%). Deploying technology to add value to clients in ways that are commonplace in the retail sector is also an area where

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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