AI use rising in legal services, but public trust remains low April 29, 2025 While AI’s potential to reduce costs and improve efficiency is making waves within the industry, both public and legal professionals remain cautious about fully embracing the technology, especially for legally complex issues. A recent survey by Robin AI found that only 10 per cent of people fully trust law firms, with only 30 pert cent [...]
Large chunk of in-house lawyers rate top law firms as ‘poor’ value for money March 31, 2025 A new report says in-house legal teams are frustrated with the quality they receive from external law firms as legal fees are increasing
The slow death of billable hours at law firms March 5, 2025 With the rise of AI and the cost of lawyers going through the roof, law firms are rushing to change how they bill clients in the hopes of avoiding awkward questions
Why top law firms are betting big on virtual reality training | What’s the Context? March 4, 2025 City AM's legal reporter Maria Ward-Brennan visits the law firm Herbert Smith Freehills to try out the virtual reality tools they are testing to train their lawyers.
Freshfields: Revenue passes £2bn at Magic Circle law firm but profit cut February 3, 2025 Profit at Magic Circle law firm Freshfields was cut during its latest financial year despite its revenue passing £2bn for the first time. Freshfields has reported a pre-tax profit of £668.9m for the 12 months to 30 April, 2024, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. Profit before partners’ annuities increased from £497.8m to £675m. [...]
London law firm ‘acted appropriately’ for Putin’s warlord Prigozhin January 28, 2025 The legal regulator is reported to “have decided to take no further action” against law firm Discreet Law which acted for the former leader of leader of Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin. As revealed by Democracy for Sale, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) decided that London-based Discreet Law “acted appropriately” when representing the sanctioned Wagner leader. [...]
How predatory litigation is damaging UK plc’s reputation January 25, 2025 The rise of predatory class action law suits and a lack of transparency around litigation funding are putting off investors, says Seema Kennedy Last week the courts rejected a £500m class action brought on behalf of 36m British consumers against Apple and Amazon. The case – which hinged on whether the two companies were illegally [...]
Hiring frenzy at London law firms as ‘apex predator’ disrupts market December 30, 2024 Partners at London law firms are switching companies at record pace as a surge of investment by American rivals ramps up competition for talent. According to data provided by legal recruiter, Edwards Gibson, there were 546 partner moves recorded over 2024. This figure is up seven from 510 moves in 2023, and up 14 per [...]
What to expect from sports law in 2025: Man City, Saudi and the ‘unlikely MVP’ December 21, 2024 What will the big talking points be in sports law in 2025? We asked the experts at one of the industry’s top firms. This year will be remembered as one in which key sporting decisions were made in the courtroom rather than the boardroom. With the Football Governance Bill, ongoing financial regulatory disputes, and the [...]
City lawyers gear up for US firms’ bonus season amid pay war December 10, 2024 Lawyers at US law firms across the City are poised to receive their bonus payouts following another year of fierce competition in the industry. In a year that saw US law firms Quinn Emanuel and Gibson Dunn and Paul raise their pay for newly qualified lawyers to £180,000, the salary battle shows no signs of [...]