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15 May 2014
Issue: 7606 / Categories: Legal News
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New breed leads growth

Entrepreneurial lawyers are succeeding post-recession 

A new breed of dynamic lawyers is leading the charge for growth in the independent legal sector, according to research commissioned by the LexisNexis Business of Law Blog.

Half of the 161 lawyers questioned for Pt 2 of the Bellwether Report 2014: Brave New World, view themselves as entrepreneurial and keen to expand their business and such dynamism is paying off: 55% of the entrepreneurs are currently experiencing growth and 68% are projecting growth over the next five years—13% more in both categories than the average respondent.

Meanwhile, 65% are investing in technology designed to grow their practice and 68% are embracing the business management element of their role.

On average, respondents have implemented two major changes over the last year that impact the way they do business. Increased investment in processes/technology topped the priority list (65%), followed by website development (63%) and increased networking (61%). 

Jonathan Whittle, market development director at LexisNexis says: “The research shows us what an exciting time it is to be involved in the independent law industry and the rapid change that is sweeping through this sector.

“These changes are driving a more competitive environment for practitioners in both independent and medium to large firms, and in turn resulting in a better service for clients.

“This new breed of lawyer is also keen to come together and share insights in to their experiences with others, networking professionally as well as with potential clients, which is where the Business of Law Blog comes in.” 

Issue: 7606 / Categories: Legal News
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Cripps—Radius Law

Cripps—Radius Law

Commercial and technology practice boosted by team hire

Switalskis—Grimsby

Switalskis—Grimsby

Firm expands with new Grimsby office to serve North East Lincolnshire

Slater Heelis—Will Newman & Lucy Spilsbury

Slater Heelis—Will Newman & Lucy Spilsbury

Property team boosted by two solicitor appointments

NEWS
A High Court ruling involving the Longleat estate has exposed the fault line between modern family building and historic trust drafting. Writing in NLJ this week, Charlotte Coyle, director and family law expert at Freeths, examines Cator v Thynn [2026] EWHC 209 (Ch), where trustees sought approval to modernise trusts that retain pre-1970 definitions of ‘child’, ‘grandchild’ and ‘issue’
Fresh proposals to criminalise ‘nudification’ apps, prioritise cyberflashing and non-consensual intimate images, and even ban under-16s from social media have reignited debate over whether the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is fit for purpose. Writing in NLJ this week, Alexander Brown, head of technology, media and telecommunications, and Alexandra Webster, managing associate, Simmons & Simmons, caution against reactive law-making that could undermine the Act’s ‘risk-based and outcomes-focused’ design
Recent allegations surrounding Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have reignited scrutiny of the ancient common law offence of misconduct in public office. Writing in NLJ this week, Simon Parsons, teaching fellow at Bath Spa University, asks whether their conduct could clear a notoriously high legal hurdle
A landmark ruling has reshaped child clinical negligence claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Jodi Newton, head of birth and paediatric negligence at Osbornes Law, explains how the Supreme Court in CCC v Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2026] UKSC 5 has overturned Croke v Wiseman, ending the long-standing bar on children recovering ‘lost years’ earnings
A Court of Appeal ruling has drawn a firm line under party autonomy in arbitration. Writing in NLJ this week, Masood Ahmed, associate professor at the University of Leicester, analyses Gluck v Endzweig [2026] EWCA Civ 145, where a clause allowing arbitrators to amend an award ‘at any time’ was held incompatible with the Arbitration Act 1996
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