Welcome to another round up of legal costs news.
This week saw Solicitors getting to grips with the future envisioned by the government on access to justice. Kerry Underwood wrote eloquently of poverty of imagination and aspiration in his article “Austerity ain’t Working” suggesting “the real agenda [behind Court closures] is to stop ordinary people enforcing their rights”.
Accountancy firm Deloittes also waded into the debate with their report Developing Talent: Stepping into the future law firm .The report concluded that fewer “traditional lawyers” would be needed in the future, but there would be more sales executives, project managers and technology experts. All change over the next ten years then with a stark warning for those law firms that fail to prepare for change predicted to be “no longer sustainable” beyond a “tipping point” around the year 2020. The most effective firms of the future, the report suggests will be those agile enough to meet client needs at an efficient price.
And it seems it’s not just Solicitors and costs drafting firms going through change.
This week George Osborne announced plans for the Ministry of Justice to relocate staff outside the capital as part of the government’s efforts to save on office costs. The Law Society Gazette reports the MoJ earlier this year confirming plans to develop 24 commuter hubs - shared spaces in government property where staff can work from or attend meetings locally - in outer London and the south-east.
In other news, British Gas Trading Ltd v Oak Cash & Carry Ltd, Jackson LJ upheld a claim for £211,000 won by default after the Defendant missed their last chance to submit a pre-trial checklist at court. It appears that the non-compliance would have been dealt with more leniently had the application for relief from sanctions been made promptly and not left until one month later when the trial date had already been lost.
Reason given for delay: the solicitor assigned to the case was called away with personal difficulties…and the case was handed to a Trainee. My favourite comment then from Anonymous 15 March 2016 03:52 pm “That poor trainee; I'll bet he/she gets drop kicked by the chief as well. “ We ask, whatever happened to supervision?
Finally, it’s been a week from hell with CCMS for all of us at John M Hayes following an upgrade by the Legal Aid Agency last weekend. Our David Smith asks “CCMS where are we now” in this week’s legal aid blog and discusses how to improve your CCMS billing with the bulk upload facility here.
We are delighted to report that Michael Fitzpatrick completed his half marathon at Liverpool in 2 hours 23 mins and 14 secs and is back in training for Sheffield in April. The Norwich office team, led by Emma Jackson is deep in preparation for its Easter Cake bake–off with requests in from our offices all across the UK to be the Guest Judge…
Check out our Facebook page to find out the winner next week.
Until next time…..