• August 15, 2012 |

    Insurers plan investment in legal arms to cut external spend

    A number of big insurance companies are planning to ramp up their internal legal teams and set up their own law firms in moves that are likely to reshape the legal insurance market, according to new research from Espirito Santo Investment Bank. The research, referenced in The Times earlier this week (13 August), found that half of insurers consulted by the bank plan to build their own enlarged teams to handle disputes instead of handing work to external law firms in an attempt to cut costs.

    1 minute read

  • August 3, 2012 |

    Getting out of the woods - will solicitors face another rise in negligence claims?

    For a long time there have been gloomy predictions of avalanches of claims against professionals – including solicitors – arising from the economic downturn. Yet it continues to be the case that the deluge has not arrived, although there has certainly been a very notable increase in claims in specific areas. So has the danger now passed?

    1 minute read

  • August 2, 2012 |

    Professional indemnity

    Clyde & Co look at the rise in claims against against solicitors and Norton Rose asks how far does a solicitor's obligation to inform a client of an emerging risk extend

    1 minute read

  • July 29, 2012 |

    Leading firms sign up to encourage solicitors to apply for judiciary

    Some of the UK's leading law firms have pledged to encourage their lawyers to apply for judicial appointments, as part of a campaign by the Law Society to increase the number of solicitors appointed as judges. Twenty firms have committed to the campaign, including 11 of the UK's 20 largest firms by revenue, including Allen & Overy, Ashurst, Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith, Hogan Lovells, Linklaters and Addleshaw Goddard.

    1 minute read

  • July 26, 2012 | International Edition

    UK top 50 law firms drive profits back towards boom-time high

    The UK's top law firms have overcome continued uncertainty in the global economy to achieve a second consecutive year of growth, while top 50 firms push partner profits back towards a boom-time high.

    1 minute read

  • July 26, 2012 |

    2011-12 case studies: Clyde & Co

    Clyde & Co's merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has propelled the firm to the largest hike in revenue among the UK top 50 this year, with turnover jumping 35.4%. After joining forces with Barlows in November 2011, the firm saw fee income hit £287m for 2011-12, up from £212m last year. Turnover on a like-for-like basis at Clydes without any contribution from Barlows grew 17% to £248m.

    1 minute read

  • July 26, 2012 |

    PEP falls as investment drives revenues for insurance and shipping-focused firms

    Insurance and shipping-focused law firms have seen partner profits dip this year, following a sustained period of investment which has driven revenues across the group to new heights.

    1 minute read

  • July 26, 2012 |

    DWF, Kennedys and Mishcons trump top 50 rivals with fastest five-year growth

    DWF, Kennedys and Mishcon de Reya have emerged as the fastest-growing firms in the UK top 50 over the past five years, according to research compiled by Legal Week.

    1 minute read

  • July 26, 2012 |

    2011-12 case studies: Ashurst

    There is little doubt that Ashurst has been one of the worst-affected City players since the 2008-09 recession. The firm has been further weighed down in recent years by a protracted round of partner exits and a continued struggle to build upon the sizeable US structured finance practice it acquired in 2009.

    1 minute read

  • July 26, 2012 |

    UK top 50 law firms drive profits back towards boom-time high

    The UK's top law firms have overcome continued uncertainty in the global economy to achieve a second consecutive year of growth, while top 50 firms push partner profits back towards a boom-time high.

    1 minute read