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Open all hours?

13 March 2008 / Paul Marsh
Issue: 7312 / Categories: Features , Company , Legal services , Commercial
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Image could be the difference between success and failure for smaller law firms, says Paul Marsh

The so-called “Big Bang” impact on the legal profession that the Legal Services Act 2006 is expected to cause has been labelled in some quarters as bad news for small- and mid-sized firms. While it is fair to say the legal services landscape will change, the outlook need not be bleak. Small high street law firms and mid-sized firms have the power themselves to adapt to new developments and ensure theirs is a thriving business.

There has been talk of the new legal disciplinary practices (LDPs) creating problems for many smaller law firms, but they create just as many opportunities. It should not have taken LDPs and the onset of alternative business structures (ABSs) to make some parts of the profession realise change is needed. The provision of high-quality legal services to individual consumers is not tied to any particular business model and the Act gives an opportunity to explore new ways of meeting clients’ needs

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Sports, education and charities practice welcomes senior associate

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Partner and head of commercial litigation joins in Chelmsford

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Firm strengthens Glasgow corporate practice with partner hire

NEWS
One in five in-house lawyers suffer ‘high’ or ‘severe’ work-related stress, according to a report by global legal body, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
The Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO’s) plea for a budget increase has been rejected by the Law Society and accepted only ‘with reluctance’ by conveyancers
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
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