Welcome to the first 2013 edition of the weekly 'Law Business' column from the SundayLawReview team. In this blog, we take a cursory look at what happened in the business of law within UK as reported by online legal publications throughout last week.
The most interesting articles on developments, compliance, business and the study of law including articles cited within TheLawMap 'focus of the day':
- A number of chambers have signed up to the new Barco initiative, which has now been approved by the FSA. The service, introduced by the Bar Council, is a secure third-party holding escrow account, which is designed to make direct access to the bar easier. Full story - The Lawyer
- The Solicitors Regulation Authority will not ask for a delay to the imminent ban on referral fees, despite warnings that the timetable is being rushed. Full story - Law Gazette
- Birmingham Law Centre may be forced to close if it cannot secure at least £100,000 in funding over the next three months, its chief executive has warned. Full story - Solicitors Journal
- Stress continues to dominate calls to legal healthcare charity LawCare, and this in turn leads some lawyers to alcoholism later in their careers, its review of 2012 has said. Full story - Legal Futures
- Buyers of legal services are unlikely, on their own, to help stimulate competition in the legal services sector, the Consumer Panel has warned in response to the Legal Services Board’s request for advice on ways to empower consumers. Full story - Solicitors Journal
- What can judge-watchers expect in 2013? Three supreme court vacancies, a 'chief justice' and many other judicial appointments and promotions are coming up in the next year. Full story - Guardian Law
- Nominated staff at more than 8,800 firms this week took up their new roles as compliance officers. Full story - Law Gazette
- An Unnamed Indian Lawyer's Analysis of Delhi Gang Rape - 'Hang my son for killing India’s daughter' - 2012 Delhi gang rape case. Full story - Law Specials
- Time for competition law to"get real", says incoming CAT chairman | The Lawyer http://t.co/P0rCi1og
- Publication of Legal Education and Training Review put back for second time | The Lawyer http://t.co/XYHXsfVR
- Law Society president proposes targets to get women into management | The Lawyer http://t.co/amcLlA88
- Managing the risks posed by tablets | Law Gazette http://t.co/aAodSpV7
- Firms promoting “mediocre men”, Law Society president says | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/l4UYLf7S
- Does the SRA practise what it preaches over OFR? | Legal Futures http://t.co/Rrjlnzr2
- LSB backs end to minimum salary and to IFA referral requirement | Legal Futures http://t.co/VAapZh15
- Chambers sign up to escrow account pilot after FSA gives green light | Legal Futures http://t.co/Ke34WTvm
- Cost of acquiring PI cases is £700 - and the referral fee ban will have no effect, says report | Legal Futures http://t.co/cNuRmm2p
- Can accountants change the legal sector? | Law Gazette http://t.co/F8zPYe3f
- Law firms defy City gloom with 20,000 new hires | Law Gazette http://t.co/FbNFeBFO
- Direct access bar payment scheme launches with 10 chambers on board | The Lawyer http://t.co/C8wPxGdt
- Entries open as The Lawyer Magazine prepares for expanded awards ceremony | The Lawyer http://t.co/abTjLPW8
- 2013: the year for legal apprenticeships http://t.co/oX7kYhMz
- BARCO approved by FSA | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/Z1auQXgB
- Employment tribunal award limits set to increase next month http://t.co/M1fkbpmD
- LeO promises to ‘isolate’ claims management complaints | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/iDu318WS
- LASPO boosts motor insurer’s shares | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/xb7qChxZ
- Birmingham Law Centre appeals to council in survival battle | The Lawyer http://t.co/Eb7cNa5a
- SFO's legal bill for Tchenguiz investigation hits £1.3m | The Lawyer http://t.co/4QiJHK3s
- We’re still on course for referral fee ban, says SRA | Law Gazette http://t.co/zIFDWlkz
- SRA and claims regulator dismiss Law Society speculation of referral fee ban "difficulty" | Legal Futures http://t.co/JFiRKGXx
- Legal challenge to put an end to court papers http://t.co/pW1M5Gwx
- SRA appoints seven to slimmed-down disciplinary panel | Legalweek http://t.co/RogOPV44
- Third-party funding in spotlight as firm beats negligence rap | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/fqvMXGFL
- Legal sector mergers keep up 2011 pace | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/WlHWgGW6
- Matrimonial property rules ‘not sustainable’, family solicitors say | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/DFbKOfdx
- US: Law firm mergers kept up pace in 2012 http://t.co/RlsqpSLs
- Come on, let’s fix this car insurance racket | Law Gazette http://t.co/M7CaNA5Z
- Persenal Injury sector predicts jobs haemorrhage | Law Gazette http://t.co/aULY4OKl
- Consumers not empowered enough to drive competition in legal market, says study | Legal Futures http://t.co/H79aMSbS
- ABS start-up targets combination of legal and non-legal advice for SMEs | Legal Futures http://t.co/V4CGlY2y
- SRA mulls making firms that want to hold client money seek permission | Legal Futures http://t.co/mwq
- UK legal sector to get 2013 boost, predicts survey | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/bmGNprvg
- Birmingham Law Centre faces closure as LASPO approaches | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/EXF7h93i
- Family barristers question commission’s matrimonial property principles | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/Zah6ArSp
- Singapore looks to set up International Commercial Court | The Lawyer http://t.co/X1H9mequ
- Solid last quarter boosts US law firm merger activity | The Lawyer http://t.co/bcd5b9Z4
- Leading sets prepare for boom year in litigation as The Lawyer reveals 2013's top cases | The Lawyer http://t.co/X56jg2sB
- SRA slashes law firm roster after move to handle more work in-house | The Lawyer http://t.co/0ehwh75C
- Law school sends letter to prospective vacation scheme firms marking out 2:2 students | The Lawyer http://t.co/vVp1LfDR
- Government’s plan to introduce a UK Bill of Rights could have hit a wall | The Lawyer http://t.co/1TmrLTp4
- Single patent court system for Europe & high-profile phone wars putting IP at the heart of client strategy | The Lawyer http://t.co/Z4bRfIT2
- Tough markets mean firms need to be more in tune with their clients and their needs in order to survive | The Lawyer http://t.co/o2uB2AK7
- As far as business is concerned, the EU-wide patent system may not be the boon it’s cracked up to be | The Lawyer http://t.co/OMCIkfaK
- Top 20 Cases: This promises to be bumper season in courts, so here’s a selection of the bust-ups to watch | The Lawyer http://t.co/9QS7uO6T
- Stress tops lawyers’ concerns in 2012 | Law Gazette http://t.co/GoDMJOv5
- Stress remains lawyers’ top well-being concern | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/RiJNHsWZ
- Stress dominates calls to LawCare as charity outlines concerns over alcohol danger | Legal Futures http://t.co/lOqfuSIs
- Government seeks to overturn Lords vote bringing bailiffs within LeO's remit | Legal Futures http://t.co/fussn6In
- Everything Everywhere lawyer relaunches Lawyers' Secular Society | The Lawyer http://t.co/yV0pQYUr
- Empowering legal services buyers ‘an uphill struggle’ | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/UWBvOpQL
- Pace of ABS approvals quickens as total reaches 59 | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/ZztLkdr3
- Law Society signals climbdown on independence stance http://t.co/z5w38W98
- Firm owning University of Law will have a say in controlling the institution's academic authority http://t.co/fODKOy6G
- SRA drops 'group licensing' approach for firms operating overseas | Legal Futures http://t.co/LloyhWw8
- In-house salaries continue to trail inflation | Law Gazette http://t.co/qnwtG6TE
- Ombudsman sets out new fees plan | LAW GAZETTE http://t.co/t0aQPfl2
- 90% of COLPs and COFAs in place, but 1,000 firms miss 1 January deadline | Legal Futures http://t.co/1ZjZrEW5
- RTA Portal: no plan B as government postpones expansion | Law Gazette http://t.co/y9BOa67H
- What can judge-watchers expect in 2013? | Joshua Rozenberg http://t.co/YTpVmKGo
- BPP plans apprentice scheme to bypass university in path to legal career | The Lawyer http://t.co/ryP65gCK
- A view from the litigant in person | Law Gazette http://t.co/EmfXZ0MP
- Minister signals weekend courts U-turn | Law Gazette http://t.co/2x6nEKuB
Articles of the week:
The UK and international articles of the week are pieces selected by @TheLawMap tweeting team based on recommendations from friends and followers of LawNewsIndex.com daily law news blog.
- Bradley Manning and me: why I cannot regret turning in the WikiLeaks suspect | Adrian Lamo - The Guardian
- Law Student Unveils Life in Iran | Susan Seligson - BU Today (A publication on Boston University)
News from the Law Firms:
Friday 11th January
- Covington heads to Shanghai amid blitz of New Year moves http://t.co/MTS4C4uf
- Bury solicitor is in the running for a top award after being named one of the region's brightest legal stars http://t.co/xYI89RE5
- Ashurst's NQ retention rate falls to 70 per cent http://t.co/BfKmKLaz
- FFW, Mayer Brown advise as Abramovich invests in Oxford green-tech group http://t.co/SYH1C79r
- SNR Denton secures new Kuwait association http://t.co/eINkwBca
- Reed Smith promotes London duo in 22-strong partnership round http://t.co/NbDjim4U
- Law firms name first compliance officers for new regulatory regime http://t.co/YMnf2g3H
- Shell advisers in focus as global panel review gets underway http://t.co/3NKP9GMm
- Freshfields leads rivals for Europe and Asia-Pac M&A in 2012 rankings http://t.co/cROOSb0d
- KPMG in talks over PRIME-style work experience scheme for accountants http://t.co/qbsRHXBi
- A weekly round-up of who's moving up, down or out in global legal practice http://t.co/dhVp0RkU
- Yorkshire Dales Law firm opens new office and appoints family solicitor http://t.co/gxfj6a2D
- Truro law firm Follett Stock boss Chris Lingard accused of bullying at tribunal http://t.co/UWRJgiAw
- Paul Hastings picks up former Dewey partner for Italian energy push http://t.co/5YbLMz3u
- Estonia's Glikman and Alvin Rödl join forces http://t.co/EmMVDZCP
- Ropes client Google drops claims against Microsoft after FTC agreement http://t.co/ZmGouy3w
- White & Case strengthens mining team with in-house hire http://t.co/sDyGmDKb
- DLA Piper adds global international arbitration co-chair in Singapore http://t.co/QptgzRLY
- Simmons expands German footprint with Munich launch http://t.co/MWG7olVy
- Mishcon rocked by departure of in-house frontman http://t.co/Ak4eCthm
- Follett Stock managing partner accused of bullying female solicitor http://t.co/JXaUpKnD
- Line-up of chambers to lead Bar client money initiative after FSA backing http://t.co/Ai4HbkdZ
- Dewey's US LLP files claim of £36.7m from defunct firm's UK arm http://t.co/cNhfbVsb
- Simmons to launch new base in Munich led by three-partner team http://t.co/pzEFd8Or
- Rolls-Royce turns to former Herbert Smith chief Gold for corruption probe http://t.co/hMRgh14y
- Varul relaunches in Latvia via merger with BDO Zelmenis & Liberte http://t.co/aVPB15Ig
- A&O partner Michael Reynolds elected as IBA president http://t.co/5r7ixy1F
- Matrix leads as Chris Huhne's partner appeals Daily Mail judgment http://t.co/ep8hbNWI
- Success for Schillings as Kate Winslet's husband blocks Sun images http://t.co/b7mQ6yAK
- DLA latest firm to open doors in Seoul | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/nE16s1Tp
- Bond Pearce continues post-merger hires with ex-Pinsents IP chief http://t.co/PZqTsYHK
- Long-serving A&O antitrust partner takes IBA presidency http://t.co/bNQiYlYf
- Shearman and Norton Rose act on $1bn ArcelorMittal Canada-Asia deal http://t.co/1Yn3yCrz
- Dechert, Wachtell take key roles on BoA's $11.6bn toxic loan settlement http://t.co/YrLpTouj
- Bakers adds partner to Tokyo IP team with Hogan Lovells hire http://t.co/yyXFnhgE
- Ashurst and SNR Denton take lead roles on Jessops administration http://t.co/YHKYeIss
- McDermott builds German restructuring team with Taylor Wessing hire http://t.co/BbssAh0o
- Bingham promotes two City lawyers in 13-strong round http://t.co/zsJUU8sS
- Quinn Emanuel London posts 30 per cent revenue hike for 2012 http://t.co/AtYFT5U6
- Squire Sanders hires DLA regulated procurement specialist http://t.co/nMTY3r8e
- Cleary's Freeman leaves for CAT as one of four new chairmen http://t.co/Gb0z5quU
- Clydes hires boost New Jersey base http://t.co/fRNEQ2sO
- Weil leads as MF Global reaches transatlantic settlement http://t.co/05vpGna3
- Dewey's US LLP seeks to recover £36.7m from UK arm http://t.co/8LUulElI
- Kennedys looks to offer regulatory defence advice to accountants with RJW hire http://t.co/liu1ErKD
- Wilson Sonsini, Paul Weiss advise as Google makes deal with US watchdog http://t.co/rsFR5olE
- DLA Piper gains approval for South Korea launch http://t.co/MAYlyOSj
- Freshfields quartet quits Milan office to join Italian boutique http://t.co/QHK881gw
- DLA Piper takes projects quintet from King & Wood Mallesons http://t.co/g6l720Sy
- Boutique launches in wake of Herbies' alliance bust up http://t.co/2pXLUl8K
- Linklaters and White & Case lead as Bupa buys Polish healthcare group http://t.co/ZTt2gGik
- LG, Norton Rose, W&C advise on investment group Seref's £230m IPO http://t.co/0fBHyqTT
- Liverpool's EAD vows to grow clin neg capability after ABS conversion http://t.co/i6a4fzBa
- K&L Gates adds first post-merger partner to Aussie base http://t.co/DdSB5Byx
- Bevan Brittan advising on first local authority defamation claim http://t.co/pKSYkqLk
- Appleby elects Asia-based partner as new group chair http://t.co/fj6fqQ0w
- Dundas turns to Cass for help delivering more for less http://t.co/jUoDfRa0
- Stibbe's Clevenbergh teams up with fellow heavyweights for boutique launch http://t.co/gs1nKeaU
- Dewey advisers rack up $15m bill http://t.co/zCr0BK8j
- SJ Berwin heads to Luxembourg http://t.co/bmPIMupp
- Cadwalader adds capital markets partner in China with K&L Gates hire http://t.co/aKqyTCGi
- Kirkland, Latham lead on $500m Avis purchase of car-sharing firm Zipcar http://t.co/Z0ItEIb3
- RPC sees off big-name rivals to win debut Ofcom role on 4G auction http://t.co/XB7HfU2W
- SJB appoints former Dechert City chief to join partnership board http://t.co/vEZeXZr2
- Hogan Lovells makes up five City lawyers in reduced partner round http://t.co/VZN6ETtl
- Dewey filings reveal $14m in fee claims by bankruptcy advisers http://t.co/ZvmxyHUp
- A&O and Slaughters take key roles as Thomson Reuters acquires PLC http://t.co/MV3U230k
- Clifford Chance, King & Wood among firms on HK$3.9bn Hong Kong IPO http://t.co/bekbGwlt
- Duane Morris launches in Silicon Valley with K&L Gates hire http://t.co/AtFqIL4Q
- Hogan Lovells promotes 24 to its global partnership http://t.co/Wz5AO5ri
- Hogan Lovells and 39 Essex Street survive as LSB rejigs its legal advisers panel http://t.co/0NaF9FX5
- Trio of London partners in dozen Dechert promotions http://t.co/NB02lxw8
- Bindmans set for CoA in Tony Nicklinson 'right to die' case http://t.co/0vLEHue3
- Freshfields could face scrutiny over advice on 2010 Bumi deal http://t.co/7ziaQtt1
- Dacheng leads booming rise of China firms in Asia http://t.co/FR5q9SSx
- Sidley Austin adds 26 to partnership including City pair http://t.co/jJyJ8r6w
- SJ Berwin expands European footprint with launch of Luxembourg base http://t.co/JRdgGxYD
- SJ Berwin launches in Luxembourg with addition of two new partners http://t.co/yKNltW7e
- Comic Jim Davidson turns to Henri Brandman & Co after sex offences arrest http://t.co/0h0S0lbF
- Edwards Wildman gains Hong Kong capability via local merger http://t.co/tyHJwpRU
- Clifford Chance's fight for Chagos Islanders fails in ECHR http://t.co/l6dZq6qY
- Former Minster CEO launches ABS Brilliant Law http://t.co/cfc41gZb
- RPC victorious in bid to advise Ofcom on 4G auction http://t.co/0DhVQXOq
- Dallas and Houston law firms draw global suitors http://t.co/mIZhn5lT
- Skadden Arps, Linklaters, Hughes Hubbard: Business of Law http://t.co/fopAEMyF
- K&L Gates, Australia’s Middletons Combine http://t.co/JMoxMJ6i
- Allen & Overy’s Wootton leads thin line-up of solicitor honours http://t.co/0LJTTh0f
- A&O partner and Locog GC lead legal honours in New Year's list http://t.co/ORBnxDxj
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LawNewsIndex.com - Daily Law News Archive
SundayLawReview.com - Weekly Law Business News Blog
Law Specials - A compendium of articles on Justice & Society
Wig - Daily Newspaper Focusing on Law & Society
MetaLawIndex - Informal Blog chronicling behind the scene events at LawNewsIndex & Twitter
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