A Good Time to Consult?
I am leaving the SRA at the end of 2018 in order to set up my own consultancy business. I will be helping law firms and legal business, solicitors and regulators across the UK, the USA and beyond. My...
View ArticleChange happens in two ways – gradually and then suddenly
The last ten years have seen real change in the legal market. But ahead of us is even more reform to regulation that will further liberalise the legal market. Consumers will have unprecedented choice,...
View ArticleTime to deliver reform
With the SRA still not announcing a date for its new Standards & Regulations to take effect, and April looking undeliverable, we should demand that the SRA allow and encourage law firms to move...
View Article#IWD2019 Leadership and equality
On International Women's Day we need to see law firm leaders step up and deliver diversity. This is not a CSR issue, but is about the rule of law, public confidence and the role of the legal profession...
View ArticleSolicitors Qualifying Examination: act now
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination is coming and the first exams will be sat in late 2021 That means firms need to be thinking about their response now - 2021 will be too late. A quick review of the...
View ArticleLook to the STARs
The SRA finally announced that its new Standards & Regulations that replace the current Handbook will come into force on 25 November 2019. A quick review of the main provisions of this shorter,...
View ArticleClamping down on McKenzie friends would be disastrous for the poor
McKenzie friends get criticised by lawyers and a few of their friends in the judiciary. But is this really about protecting the public? McKenzie Friends are an important contribution to access to...
View ArticleWhat's the point of the Law Society?
What is the point of the Law Society? It might seem obvious but its struggles suggest that the Law Society has not quite worked it out! Perhaps, rather than spend £30m taxed from the legal profession,...
View ArticleRegulation and NDAs
The Law Society has made a total mess of its attempt to support solicitors handle NDAs for their clients. They have been tone deaf while the criticisms mount. Do they really want this issue to define...
View ArticleWhy SQE is irrelevant to law firm leaders
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination is already making law firms rethink their approach to training during what they still call the training contract. But they should leave this to their graduate...
View ArticleWild predictions from a scary fool?
A quick review of the changing legal market and how new business models are hiding in plain site from traditional law firms. Then a few predictions about how the market might change in the years ahead....
View ArticlePrice transparency: over regulation or new opportunity?
With the SRA signalling a tougher approach to enforcement of its rules on price transparency, I suggest that frms should take this opportunity to shift the conversation with potential customers from...
View ArticleUnited States comes to the party
As Californian State Bar launches period of public comment on its options for reform of legal regulation I review the proposals and take the opportunity to look at what some other American States are...
View Article360 feedback in law firms
What does good leadership look like? What does that mean in a law firm? How do solicitors know if they are getting it right as they rise towards partnership and once they are there? What do teams...
View ArticleLegal aid: my manifesto
Crispin Passmore offers his manifesto for legal aid. Based on over 25 years in the legal sector including running the UK's largest Law Centre and being responsible for legal aid policy, he sets out a...
View ArticleUtah turns US reform party into a carnival
A task force appointed by the Utah State Supreme Court, with the support of the State Bar, has made radical proposals for the liberalisation of its legal market. More innovation to support access to...
View ArticleSQE, students, educators and law firms
Growing concern about students making poor decisions as they move from LPC towards qualifying as a solicitor means that the SRA needs to think again about how it supports targeted information. Law...
View ArticleTime for SRA to update warning notice on NDAs
The SRA showed real leadership in 2018 when it set out a warning to solicitors and law firms about the use of non-disclosure agreements. But since then we have learned just how widespread their misuse...
View ArticleCompliance has become culture
Culture has become compliance. A firm that manages risk with a 16 box grid isn't managing risk at all. senior people or the Board in a law firm need to know what they mean by culture and be able to...
View ArticleIs the US at a tipping point?
Another US State (Illinois) has joined California, Arizona and Utah in proposing reforms for the re-regulation of legal services and lawyers. The evidence of the current system failing to meet the...
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