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Time for change

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

Slater Heelis—Oliver Banks

Slater Heelis—Oliver Banks

Manchester firm strengthens Court of Protection expertise with partner hire

Talbots Law—Sara Pickerin & Nicholas Playford

Talbots Law—Sara Pickerin & Nicholas Playford

Agricultural law team expands with senior director appointments

Kingsley Napley—Claire Green

Kingsley Napley—Claire Green

Firm announces appointment of chief legal officer

NEWS
Entries are now open for the 2026 LexisNexis Legal Awards, celebrating achievement and innovation in the law across 24 categories
The London Legal Support Trust (LLST) is calling on the legal community to don aprons and sharpen their pencils for two of its most popular fundraising events—the Great Legal Bake and the Great Legal Quiz. The events, which take place in November, raise vital funds for free legal advice charities across London and the South East
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a review of its whiplash policies, including fixed tariffs, statutory definition of the injury, ban on settling cases without medical evidence and small claims limit
Family lawyers have welcomed government plans to repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989, but emphasised the need for each case to be determined on its facts
Transferring anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing supervision to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) could create extra paperwork and increase costs for clients, lawyers have warned 
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