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Amid an increased regulatory focus on workplace culture, law firms are more than ever having to grapple with how they can reinforce the right partner behaviors when making decisions as to promotion or remuneration, in a way that is objective and fair, say Andrew Pavlovic and Corinne Staves at CM Murray.
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Several factors have contributed to the rise in organized pro bono work in the legal sector across the U.K. and Europe, and with large law firms looking to distinguish themselves and compete for talent, the trend seems likely to continue, says Paul Yates at Freshfields.
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With many members of Parliament entering the House of Commons for the first time following the election in July, it is a daunting time for those transitioning into elected legislators, and the input of lawyers is crucial to ensure we see evidence-driven and legally certain legislation, says Tyrone Steele at Justice.
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With document review accounting for a large proportion of legal costs, weaving in a storytelling approach to e-discovery alongside increasingly automated processes allows a more effective way of producing evidence that minimizes inefficiencies and ultimately achieves better outcomes, says Tiana Van Dyk at Epiq Legal Solutions.
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The recent CrowdStrike IT issue demonstrates that while it can be difficult to predict when a crisis might hit, there are proactive steps senior executives and their legal advisers can take to be better prepared for such an eventuality and to weather the storm more effectively, says Jenny Afia at Schillings.
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Generative artificial intelligence is of much greater consequence than previous legal technologies and is therefore poised to reshape legal functions, redefine the roles of legal professionals, and change how much legal work is delivered — and some key practice areas and legal activities stand to be most transformed, say members of Deloitte Legal.
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Following the U.K. Supreme Court's Paccar decision last year, which made many litigation funding agreements for opt-out collective actions in the Competition Appeal Tribunal unenforceable, the judiciary will likely take charge in implementing any fixes — but the general election has created uncertainty, says Ben Knowles at Clyde & Co.
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Parliament's recent return from its summer break brings opportunities for legal public relations professionals to engage with political topics, and although it is less risky to say nothing, deciding to enter the conversation can reap rewards, says Ben Finnis at Greentarget.
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Opinion
With an escalating sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks in law firms and businesses, there is a need to address potential threats and an opportunity to push the new government for significant legislative change to strengthen the U.K.’s cybersecurity framework, says Scott Kramer at Clio.
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Thomson Reuters research reveals an improving macroeconomic picture of incoming interest rate cuts, and with market confidence in the new U.K. government, there is a higher corporate demand for transactional advice, leading law firms to increase their hiring in preparation for this heavier workload, says James Lavan at Buchanan Law.
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In-house legal teams, long believed to create unnecessary hurdles, can reframe themselves as integral business partners by embedding best practices in governance and compliance, engaging directly with key stakeholders and fostering relationships with colleagues, says Sarah Davis at The Legal Director.
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The benefits of a brand are not always viewed as quantifiable, but the legal sector is realizing the tangible benefits and important function of a strong brand, and can take steps to capitalize on this significant value-adding asset, say Daniela Conte at Gibson Dunn, Ben Girdlestone at Byfield and Leor Franks at Kingsley Napley.
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Recent high-profile cases of breaches of fund-handling rules, and an ongoing Solicitors Regulation Authority review, challenge a long-standing culture of law firms dealing with client funds in-house, and firms may need to opt for other business models to enhance consumer protection, says Claire Van Der Zant at Shieldpay.
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Opinion
As the U.K. approaches a possible watershed general election, the new government must undertake the reforms and investment needed to restore the justice system, and public confidence and safety with it, says Sam Townend at the Bar Council.
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Although elite law firms are offering ever-increasing salaries to talented associates, the traditional concept of partnership is evolving, and work-life balance issues and a greater concern with working in a sustainable environment among Gen Z lawyers mean that going in-house is becoming a more attractive option over time, say Calvin Gardiner and Simi Bains at Buchanan Law.