<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss xmlns:a10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title>³ÉÈËÓ°Òô</title><link>/blog/</link><description /><category>In-house</category><category>News</category><category>Future of Law</category><category>Students</category><category>Research &amp; legal analysis</category><a10:contributor><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:contributor><a10:contributor><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:contributor><a10:contributor><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:contributor><a10:contributor><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:contributor><a10:contributor><a10:name> </a10:name></a10:contributor><a10:link rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" href="/blog/feeds/lexisnexis" /><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:dfc2e1f1-78bf-4072-86b8-e4c3f0695953</guid><link>/blog/in-house/january-2025-bulletin</link><category>In-house</category><title>January 2025 Bulletin</title><description>Welcome to the first edition of 2025 Radius Law Commercial Bulletin, in association with ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô.</description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:57:27 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;h3 style="text-align:left;"&gt;Welcome to the first edition of 2025, Radius Law Commercial Bulletin, in association with ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô.&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;This month&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://radiuslaw.co.uk/team/iain-larkins/" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;Iain Larkins&lt;/a&gt;, Founder of Radius Law, and&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://radiuslaw.co.uk/team/sandra-martins-2/" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;Sandra Martins&lt;/a&gt;, a Senior Lawyer at Radius Law, discuss:&lt;span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:norm style=""&gt;&lt;/span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:norm&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/screenshot-2024-12-18-163012.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=121213d2_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:dc205bf1-09b4-4eaa-b071-474bcee92544</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/the-pros-cons-of-becoming-a-freelance-lawyer-in-today-s-market</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>The pros and cons of becoming a freelance lawyer in today's market</title><description>Discover the pros and cons of becoming a freelance lawyer in today's market. Explore flexibility, financial considerations, diverse opportunities, and the impact of technology to determine if freelancing aligns with your career goals.</description><pubDate>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;With the rise of flexible working arrangements and the demand for specialised legal expertise, more lawyers are considering the freelance route. But is it the right choice for you? This blog explores the pros and cons of becoming a freelance lawyer in today's market, providing insights and statistics to help you make an informed decision.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Flexibility and autonomy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;One of the most appealing aspects of freelancing is the flexibility it offers. Freelance lawyers can choose their working hours, clients, and projects, allowing for a better work-life balance. According to Darryl Cooke, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of gunnercooke, "We don&amp;rsquo;t have the bureaucracy, we don&amp;rsquo;t have the politics... If they don&amp;rsquo;t want to work Fridays, they don&amp;rsquo;t work Fridays."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;A ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô survey found that 34% of law firms rely on freelance lawyers, highlighting the demand for flexible legal services.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Financial considerations&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;While freelancing can offer financial rewards, it also comes with uncertainties. Freelancers often earn a higher hourly rate than salaried employees, but they must manage their own taxes, insurance, and benefits. John Joyce, Former M&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/untitled-design-17-.tmb-rssthumbna.png?sfvrsn=3d7a3c0d_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:cd8edfd0-cb5d-4906-87b4-a6f642d9dd8a</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/embracing-generative-ai-a-guide-for-lawyers-ready-to-innovate</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>Embracing generative AI: a guide for lawyers ready to innovate</title><description>Discover how lawyers can start using generative AI to enhance efficiency and streamline tasks. Learn key use cases, steps for implementation, and tips for ensuring accuracy and security in your legal practice.</description><pubDate>Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;With 82% of lawyers in the UK already using or planning to use AI, &lt;a href="/research-and-reports/generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;according to a ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô surve&lt;/a&gt;y, the time is ripe for those yet to adopt this technology to take the plunge. This blog will guide you through the initial steps of integrating generative AI into your practice, highlight key use cases, and provide tips on ensuring accuracy and reliability.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Understanding the potential of generative AI&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The rise of AI in law&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;color:inherit;"&gt;Generative AI is transforming the legal sector by streamlining routine tasks and enhancing efficiency. As Jonathan Kewley, Partner at Clifford Chance, notes, "The kind of applications we're seeing &amp;ndash; the way it's been rolled out, the innovation, the investment &amp;ndash; it's off the scale."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;The adoption rate has soared, with &lt;a href="/research-and-reports/generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;AI users in the UK jumping from 11% in July 2023 to 41% in September 2024&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Key use cases&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;color:inherit;"&gt;- Legal research and document review: AI can quickly sift through vast amounts of data, identifying relevant information and patterns. Bhavisa Patel from Eversheds Sutherland highlights that "activities such as legal research, document review, and contract analysis will become simpler and quicker."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;- Contract analysis: AI tools can assist in drafting and reviewing contracts, ensuring consistency and identifying potential issues.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;- Client insights: AI can provide data-driven insights, helping lawyers offer more tailored advice to clients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/lexis-plus/lexis-plus-ai.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;&lt;em&gt;I want to know how Lexis+ AI speeds up legal research safely&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Steps to start using generative AI&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Assess your needs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;Begin by identifying the areas in your practice where AI can add the most value. As Greg Baker from Linklaters suggests, "We collect the requirements &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/toushif-alam-j_-wjmym41y-unsplash.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=59b6c027_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:ff447da4-47b4-4142-9df9-e1c597b1eabb</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/pathways-to-practice-you-re-your-own-best-cheerleader</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>Pathways to practice: "You’re your own best cheerleader"</title><description>Here, trainee solicitor Darren Broad shares insights for law students on navigating challenges, choosing a law career path and enhancing legal research skills for success.</description><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jan 2025 08:00:00 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;p&gt;As part of a spotlight series* featuring former ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô student campus ambassadors, we caught up with Darren Broad, Trainee Solicitor at Clyde &amp;amp; Co, who reflects on his legal journey. Read on to discover Darren&amp;rsquo;s tips on overcoming challenges faced by many law students as well as sound advice for anyone considering a legal career.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;Why did you decide to study law?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;I always had an interest in law and politics and how the system works. I knew I wanted to study law for A levels and, while at sixth form, I was inspired by my tutor who&amp;rsquo;d been a solicitor himself. It was the one thing in college that I wanted to get up out of bed and go in for! I enjoyed the way you could take the law and apply it to any set of facts and produce some sort of solution. I liked that analysis element and being able to work through the steps to come to an outcome.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;What inspired you to choose the solicitor route?&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;I did a few open days at the courts; I watched proceedings in the Crown Court and the Magistrate's Court. In the first year of my degree, I went to an open day at Lincoln's Inn, one of the Inns of Court, to learn what the Bar is all about. By doing practical activities like that, it allowed me to work out that while I absolutely admire barristers, the role perhaps wasn't for me.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;The level of advocacy and the amount of time that's spent in court didn't quite suit me. I enjoy engaging with clients and getting myself into the whole breadth of a case, whereas barristers tend to take on specific issues and the solicitors brief them. My advice would be to do practical things where you can see the everyday tasks involved in the role to help you understand what route you might want to go down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;How did using ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô enhance &lt;/h4&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/the-future-of-law/featured-images/pexels-fauxels-3184416.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=8d04afce_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:9db516ab-4d98-4fa0-a641-fe5c6ff4bf29</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/top-legal-award-events-lawyers-should-attend-in-the-uk</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>Top legal award events lawyers should attend in the UK</title><description>Discover the top legal events in the UK for lawyers, including the ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô Legal Awards, Family Law Awards, and more.</description><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jan 2025 02:14:48 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;The UK legal landscape is vibrant and ever-evolving, offering numerous opportunities for legal professionals to network, learn, and celebrate achievements. Attending key legal events is essential for staying updated with industry trends, gaining insights, and connecting with peers. Here are some of the top legal events in the UK that lawyers should consider attending:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. &lt;a href="https://www.lexisnexislegalawards.co.uk/website/14569/home/" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;³ÉÈËÓ°Òô Legal Awards 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;The ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô Legal Awards are a prestigious event celebrating excellence and innovation in the legal sector. These awards recognise outstanding contributions across various categories, including legal services, technology, and pro bono work. Attending this event provides an excellent opportunity to network with industry leaders and gain insights into the latest advancements in the legal field.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;13th March 2025 &lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;Park Plaza London Riverbank&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lexisnexislegalawards.co.uk/website/14569/home/" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;Find out more&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. &lt;a href="https://www.familylawawards.com/website/13941/" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;Family Law Awards 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;Focused on the family law sector, the ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô Family Law Awards honour the achievements of family law practitioners and firms. This event is a must-attend for those specialising in family law, offering a platform to celebrate successes and discuss the challenges and developments within this area of practice.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.familylawawards.com/website/13941/" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;&lt;em&gt;Find out more&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.lawworks.org.uk/solicitors-and-volunteers/get-involved/lawworks-pro-bono-awards-2024" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;&lt;strong&gt;LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2025&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-si style=""&gt;&lt;/span style="background-color:initial;font-si&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/pexels-caleboquendo-11329860.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=e8046b6a_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:ea3d862e-1f3c-447c-8160-09a662e3f3d3</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/the-future-of-ai-in-barristers-practice-a-2025-perspective</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>The future of AI in barristers' practice: a 2025 perspective</title><description>Explore how AI will transform barristers' practice in 2025. Discover strategies to enhance efficiency and client service. Click to learn more!</description><pubDate>Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Generative AI promises to revolutionise the way legal services are delivered, offering unprecedented opportunities for efficiency and innovation for barristers. In this blog, we will explore how barristers will harness AI in 2025, the challenges they may face, and the strategies needed to thrive.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;By 2025, AI is expected to be an integral part of barristers' practice, enhancing their ability to deliver legal services with greater speed and precision. According to a &lt;a href="/research-and-reports/bar-generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;recent ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô survey&lt;/a&gt;, two-thirds of barristers in the UK and Ireland are already using or planning to use generative AI. This trend is set to accelerate, driven by the need to streamline legal work and improve client service.&lt;a href="/research-and-reports/bar-generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" data-sf-marked="" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/research-and-reports/bar-generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" data-sf-marked="" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;I want to read the full survey findings&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;AI use by barristers in 2025: the new benchmark&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;The number of barristers using AI for work purposes has already quadrupled in recent years, and this growth is set to continue. Jonathan Kewley, Partner and Co-Chair of the Global Tech Group at Clifford Chance, describes this level of adoption as "extraordinary."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;"The kind of applications we're seeing &amp;ndash; the way it's been rolled out, the innovation, the investment &amp;ndash; it's off the scale."&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;While AI is a useful tool in the medium term, it will only accelerate for barristers in the longer term, says Kewley. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;"It's important that barristers are familiar with AI technology in the same way they are with the internet now.&amp;nbsp;Those that don't use it will face a bit of an existential risk."&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Enhancing efficiency: AI's role in legal practice&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:i style=""&gt;&lt;/span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/martin-martz-wmvhfdy15ds-unsplash.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=8aff643e_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:fc720fe3-ea64-4c38-961f-44e0d203ec78</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/how-ai-is-revolutionising-pricing-models-in-the-legal-industry</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>How AI is revolutionising pricing models in the legal industry</title><description>Discover how AI is transforming legal pricing models. Explore the shift from billable hours to value-based billing. Click to learn more!</description><pubDate>Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:32:39 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The legal industry, long anchored by the billable hour, is on the cusp of a transformative shift. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into legal practices, traditional pricing models are being challenged. This blog explores how AI is reshaping the landscape, offering new opportunities for efficiency and value, and what this means for the future of legal pricing.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;For decades, the billable hour has been the cornerstone of legal billing, providing a straightforward method for law firms to charge clients and measure lawyer productivity. However, this model has faced criticism for promoting inefficiency and misaligned incentives. With the advent of AI, the legal industry is witnessing a paradigm shift towards more flexible and value-driven pricing models.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The current state of AI in law firms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;AI adoption in the legal sector is accelerating at an unprecedented rate. According to a &lt;a href="/research-and-reports/generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;³ÉÈËÓ°Òô survey&lt;/a&gt;, 82% of lawyers in the UK are currently using or planning to use generative AI. This marks a significant increase from just 11% in July 2023. The primary driver behind this surge is the potential for AI to streamline routine tasks, such as legal research and document review, allowing lawyers to focus on more complex and strategic work.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;Law firms are leveraging AI to enhance efficiency and accuracy in their operations. Jonathan Kewley, Partner and Co-Chair of the Global Tech Group at Clifford Chance, highlights the transformative potential of AI: "The kind of applications we're seeing &amp;ndash; the way it's been rolled out, the innovation, the investment &amp;ndash; it's off the scale." Firms are using AI to automate document review, conduct legal research, and even assist in drafting contracts. This not only speeds up processes but also reduces the risk of human error.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;a href="/research-and-reports/generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;Download our AI report&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What clients want: transparency and value&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;As AI becomes an integral part of legal practice, clients are increasingly demanding more transparency and value in billing. The traditional billable hour model, often criticised for its lack of cost predictability, is being challenged by clients who seek more certainty in legal fees. A &lt;a &gt;&lt;/a &gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/pexels-catscoming-707582.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=f19f2a10_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:4afc4ad8-d2a1-49ff-ab82-ec7880ea867c</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/the-impact-of-ai-on-barristers-pricing-structures</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>The impact of AI on barristers' pricing structures</title><description>Discover how AI is transforming barristers' pricing models. Learn strategies to adapt and thrive in the evolving legal landscape. Click to explore!</description><pubDate>Thu, 16 Jan 2025 10:35:18 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Although still hesitant, barristers are now embracing legal generative AI to enhance their legal practice. This shift could mean profound implications for pricing structures within the legal sector. In this blog, we will explore how AI is reshaping the way barristers price their services, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and the steps needed to navigate this evolving landscape.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;color:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;The legal profession is undergoing a transformation, driven by the rapid adoption of AI technologies. According to a &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href="/research-and-reports/bar-generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable="" style="font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;white-space:inherit;"&gt;recent survey by ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;color:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;, two-thirds of barristers in the UK and Ireland are currently using or planning to use generative AI. This surge in AI adoption is primarily motivated by the desire to streamline legal work and improve efficiency. However, as AI becomes an integral part of legal practice, barristers must reconsider their pricing models to align with the new dynamics of AI-driven efficiency.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;AI adoption rates: a growing trend&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;AI adoption among barristers has seen a remarkable increase. In just over a year, the number of barristers using AI for work purposes has quadrupled, rising from 6% in July 2023 to 25% in September 2024. This trend is expected to continue, with 42% of barristers planning to incorporate AI into their practice. Jonathan Kewley, Partner and Co-Chair of the Global Tech Group at Clifford Chance, describes this level of adoption as "extraordinary." He emphasises the importance of barristers becoming familiar with AI technology to avoid facing existential risks in the future.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;stronEfficiency and pricing: the billable hour dilemma&lt;/stron&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/the-future-of-law/featured-images/sa-1019-028-925x286-future-of-law-11.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=8cec6ff6_2" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:887d3801-f7f3-41d3-940b-f1876ee3e0f1</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/are-uk-legal-associates-being-lured-by-us-law-firms-an-investigation</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>Are UK legal associates being lured by US law firms? An investigation</title><description>Discover why UK legal associates are drawn to US law firms. Explore the allure of higher salaries and global exposure. Click to learn more!</description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Jan 2025 22:01:06 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The legal landscape is evolving rapidly, with UK law firms facing increasing competition from their US counterparts&lt;/strong&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;This blog explores whether UK legal associates are attracted to US law firms, examining the motivations behind such moves and the implications for the legal industry.&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;US law firms have a significant presence in the UK, with around &lt;a href="https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/law-firms/types-of-law-firm/us-firms-in-the-uk" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;100 firms operating in the market&lt;/a&gt;. These firms offer approximately 700 training contracts, highlighting their commitment to expanding their influence. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Notable firms like Kirkland &amp;amp; Ellis and Latham &amp;amp; Watkins have established large offices in London, with Kirkland employing 340 lawyers and Latham 480. This expansion underscores the competitive nature of the legal market, as US firms leverage their global reach and resources to attract top talent and clients in the UK.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We will delve into the factors influencing associates' decisions, the allure of US firms, and the potential impact on UK law firms.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The appeal of US law firms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Higher salaries and compensation packages&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;One of the most significant draws of US law firms is the promise of higher salaries. According to a&lt;a href="/research-and-reports/generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;&amp;nbsp;recent survey by ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô&lt;/a&gt;, 87% of respondents who have worked or would consider working at a US firm cited a higher salary or better compensation package as a crucial factor. This contrasts to the 74% of all respondents who prioritised salary, highlighting the financial allure of US fir&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/pexels-pixabay-290386d67d334c-83ea-4e83-8bcf-8eaeaa904c17.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=c62a8ba5_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:74f7e74e-2812-4132-adc9-ac26af5dae78</guid><link>/blog/in-house/what-an-in-house-lawyer-wants-from-their-career-in-2025</link><category>In-house</category><title>What an in-house lawyer wants from their career in 2025</title><description>Discover the evolving demands of in-house lawyers and how they shape career paths. Explore insights and strategies for success. Click to learn more!</description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:35:03 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Over the last few years we've seen a significant shift in the career aspirations and demands of lawyers, particularly those working in in-house legal departments. Once considered the ultimate career goal for many private practice solicitors, the allure of in-house roles is now being questioned. This blog explores the evolving expectations of in-house lawyers, the challenges they face, and what they seek from their careers today.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;The role of in-house legal counsel has transformed dramatically over the past decade. Traditionally seen as a more stable and balanced alternative to private practice, in-house positions offered the promise of creative freedom, strategic involvement, and a better work-life balance. However, recent surveys and industry insights suggest that the appeal of in-house roles is waning, particularly among younger generations of solicitors.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/research-and-reports/disloyal-lawyers-in-house.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;I want to view the full report findings.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The decline in in-house aspirations&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;In-house legal roles have long been coveted for their perceived benefits, but &lt;a href="/research-and-reports/disloyal-lawyers-in-house.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;recent data&lt;/a&gt; indicates a decline in interest. According to a ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô survey of over UK solicitors, only 4% of legal associates at law firms plan to move in-house within the next five years.&amp;nbsp;&lt;span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;The majority (75%) of associates plan to stay in private practice, with more than half planning to remain at their current firm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;Stuart Greenhill, Senior Director of Segment Strategy at ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô UK, notes, "In-house teams might have to work hard to attract and retain talent in the years to come. Fortunately, coming up with innovative new ways to achieve their goals has always been their strong suit."&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;The age imbalance and training challenges&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;One of the challenges facing in-house legal departments is the age imbalance within their teams. The majority of in-house counsel start their careers in private practice before transitioning client-side. As a result, 77% of in-house teams are aged between 31 and 50 years ol&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/pexels-kampus-6248980-1-.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=52b278da_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:563bd593-ad38-4e90-b929-17d2f35bab54</guid><link>/blog/in-house/regulatory-compliance-the-top-challenge-for-in-house-counsel-in-2025</link><category>In-house</category><title>Regulatory compliance: the top challenge for in-house legal counsel in 2025</title><description>Discover how AI is revolutionising compliance for in-house counsel. Stay ahead with strategies to manage regulations effectively. Click to learn more!</description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:31:42 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;"Hands up who likes regulatory compliance?"&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;*taps microphone.* "Sorry, is this thing working?"&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;The in-house legal career ladder is a promising one, and new rungs are being added to it every year. But for all the exciting opportunities legal departments offer, meeting the rapidly growing demands of modern regulatory compliance is at the bottom of the barrel. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With compliance regulations increasing in complexity, staying ahead of the curve is not just a necessity but a strategic advantage.&amp;nbsp;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;A recent ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô survey highlights that 52% of in-house lawyers believe greater regulation and reporting are the top ways UK law is changing. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;This blog explores the rising wave of regulatory compliance and how in-house lawyers are using AI to alleviate its burden. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The rising tide of compliance regulations&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;The landscape of compliance is evolving rapidly, with new regulations emerging at an unprecedented pace. According to the same ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô survey, 55% of legal departments cite the continuing demands of compliance regulations as their biggest challenge over the next 12 months. This surge in regulatory requirements is driven by a myriad of factors, including technological advancements, globalisation, and heightened scrutiny from regulatory bodies.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;As regulations become more intricate, the risk of non-compliance increases, potentially leading to significant financial penalties and reputational damage. In-house counsel must therefore adopt proactive strategies to navigate this complex environment effectively.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;AI: A game changer in regulatory compliance&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;Artificial intelligence is transforming the way organisations approach compliance. By automating routine tasks and providing advanced data analytics, AI enables legal teams to manage compliance more efficiently and accurately. According to a report by &lt;a href="https://vorecol.com/blogs/blog-the-role-of-artificial-intelligence-in-ensuring-compliance-with-the-social-security-act-207072#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20study%20by,with%20employees%20and%20regulators%20alike." target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;Deloitte&lt;/a&gt;, businesses that integrate AI into their reporting processes experience up to a 35% reduction in compliance-related errors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word style=""&gt;&lt;/span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/pexels-cisiq-1060468.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=6e292cb7_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:aad1d5e7-e8fc-46ca-993a-394f620b0c01</guid><link>/blog/in-house/top-uk-law-changes-for-in-house-legal-teams-in-2025</link><category>In-house</category><title>Top UK law changes for in-house legal teams in 2025</title><description>Discover how UK in-house legal teams navigate evolving laws, increasing complexity, and client demands. Stay ahead with insights and strategies. Read more!</description><pubDate>Mon, 13 Jan 2025 09:51:34 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;The practice of law in the UK is undergoing significant transformation. In-house legal teams are experiencing shifts in complexity, regulation, and stakeholder demands. According to recent survey of &lt;a href="/research-and-reports/in-house/generative-ai-survey-h2-2024-in-house.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;in-house counsel by ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô&lt;/a&gt;, the top trends impacting the practice of law include the formation of more niches, greater regulation, and the ongoing effects of Brexit. Let's delve into these trends and explore how in-house counsel can navigate this changing landscape.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Increasing complexity and specialisation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;The legal field is becoming more complex, with 44% of in-house respondents noting this trend. Additionally, 50% report the formation of more niches or subtopics within the law.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;50% of in-house legal teams observe the formation of more niches in the law.&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;To manage this complexity, in-house teams should focus on developing specialised expertise and fostering a culture of continuous learning. By staying informed about niche areas, teams can provide more targeted and effective legal support to their organisations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;a href="/products/lexis-plus-trial.html" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Invest in your teams specialist knowledge here.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Greater regulation and rep&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/fas-khan-zydtqcd0t3w-unsplash.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=a6e04279_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:107bfac0-7a55-427f-8032-3c662f0d423c</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/top-challenges-for-small-law-firms-solo-practitioners-in-2025</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>Top challenges for small law firms and solo practitioners in 2025</title><description>Discover the top challenges for small law firms in 2025 and learn actionable strategies to overcome them. Click to gain insights and stay ahead in the legal landscape!</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Jan 2025 14:41:46 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;Small law firms and solo practitioners face a rapidly different environment than they did a decade ago. The legal industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by technological advancements, changing client expectations, and increasing regulatory demands. In this blog, we will explore the top challenges that leaders in small law firms and solo practices will encounter in 2025 and provide actionable insights to navigate these hurdles effectively.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Attracting and retaining talent&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;One of the foremost challenges for small law firms is attracting and retaining skilled lawyers. According to recent &lt;a href="/insights/small-law-firms-turn-to-ai-to-increase-efficiency/index.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;³ÉÈËÓ°Òô research&lt;/a&gt;, 50% of small law firms identified this as a major concern. The competition for top talent is fierce, and smaller firms often struggle to match the salaries and benefits offered by larger firms. To overcome this, small firms need to focus on creating a supportive work environment, offering flexible working arrangements, and providing opportunities for professional growth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;Jodie Hill, Managing Partner at Thrive Law, emphasies the importance of engagement: "We&amp;rsquo;ve asked our teams how they think AI fits in with, or helps with, their roles. We&amp;rsquo;ve got them involved at all different levels so it created engagement from an early stage."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Embracing technological advancements&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;Keeping pace with new technology is another significant challenge, with 39% of small law firms highlighting this issue. The adoption of legal AI is transforming legal work, with 82% of lawyers at small firms currently using or planning to use AI tools. AI offers the potential for increased efficiency and faster service delivery, but it also requires investment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/untitled-design-14-.tmb-rssthumbna.png?sfvrsn=10d86e04_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:326b96b4-9969-4f6f-ab6d-aae80745d8b3</guid><link>/blog/research-legal-analysis/why-ai-should-not-will-not-replace-lawyers-judges</link><category>Research &amp; legal analysis</category><title>Why AI should not and will not replace lawyers and judges</title><description /><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jan 2025 11:02:26 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/rule-of-law/featured-images/library-law-books-legal-925x286.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=bc86abea_2" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:eaa8adbc-ebae-46ed-9e10-5ec0f9a7225e</guid><link>/blog/research-legal-analysis/apples-and-oranges-the-lcia-s-costs-and-duration-report</link><category>Research &amp; legal analysis</category><title>Apples and oranges: the LCIA’s costs and duration report</title><description /><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jan 2025 12:56:47 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text"></a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/financial-services/featured-images/sa-1019-028-925x286-banking-and-finance-13.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=7185113c_2" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:355b2007-dab5-47d4-9d61-32238a58ab8a</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/top-tech-stats-for-small-law-firm-lawyers-in-2025</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>Top tech stats for small law firm lawyers in 2025</title><description>Explore how tech trends are reshaping small law firms. Discover key statistics on AI, technology investment, cybersecurity, and more.</description><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jan 2025 09:55:10 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;For small law firm leaders, understanding and adapting to the latest tech trends is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and meeting client expectations. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;This blog highlights key statistics from some of our recent reports, providing insights into how technology is transforming small law firms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Generative AI in legal practice&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;82% of lawyers at small law firms are using or plan to use generative AI -&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="/research-and-reports/generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;Generative AI report H2 2024&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;71% of lawyers at small law firms cite delivering work faster as a key benefit of AI - &lt;a href="/research-and-reports/generative-ai-survey-h2-2024.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;Generative AI report H2 2024&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Technology investment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:transparent;color:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;35% of small law firms plan to increase technology spending in the next 12-18 months &lt;/span&gt;-&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="/research-and-reports/bellwether-2024.html" target="_blank" href="/research-and-reports/bellwether-2024.html" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;/a href="/research-and-reports/bellwether-2024.html" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/pexels-yankrukov-7793699.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=40c1e9d9_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:3d7e3f62-b6f6-4121-9e25-1a0e8379174c</guid><link>/blog/in-house/navigating-challenges-in-house-legal-departments-in-2025-with-legal-ai</link><category>In-house</category><title>Top challenges facing in-house legal departments in 2025</title><description>Explore key trends for in-house legal teams in 2025, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, collaboration, and work-life balance.</description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Dec 2024 10:40:52 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;As 2025 approaches, in-house legal departments are bracing for a wave of challenges that will test their adaptability and resilience. From technological advancements to evolving client expectations, the landscape is rapidly changing. This blog explores the key challenges that in-house legal teams will face, offering insights and strategies to help them navigate this dynamic environment. With the integration of legal AI and other innovations, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth and efficiency.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Embracing legal AI: balancing innovation and risk&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;While legal AI offers significant benefits, it also presents challenges in terms of implementation and risk management. In-house legal teams must navigate the complexities of integrating AI into their workflows without compromising on quality or security. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In 2025, the emphasis will switch from incorporating AI into legal processes to meet the ever-shifting and ever-accelerating demands of internal stakeholders. A staggering 81% of in-house lawyers cited delivering work faster as a key benefit of AI, and 61% said providing an improved service to internal stakeholders, the latest ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="/research-and-reports/in-house/generative-ai-survey-h2-2024-in-house.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;in-house AI survey&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;found.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bhavisa Patel from Eversheds Sutherland notes, "Activities such as legal research, document review, and contract analysis will become simpler and quicker, allowing lawyers to concentrate on complex and strategic work."&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;However, ensuring that AI tools are reliable and secure remains a top priority. Despite increasing adoption rates, four-fifths (80%) of UK in-house legal professionals are concerned about inaccurate or fabricated information from public-access generative AI platforms. The challenge lies in leveraging AI for lawyers while maintaining rigorous due diligence and safeguarding intellectual property law.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/legal/precedents/training-materials-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-the-workplace" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;Train your staff to use AI safely in the workplace. Download our training presentation&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Demanding agility from external counsel&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;In 2025, in-house counsel will increasingly demand agility from their external legal partners, pushing for greater flexibility in fees, work approaches, and collaborative innovation. This shift is driven by the need for more dynamic and responsive legal services that align with the fast-paced business environment. A significant change will be the integration of AI into legal processes, with 71% of in-house teams &lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/pexels-cottonbro-5990030.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=b2752106_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:ebd4e25a-4e13-4177-ac0b-d6c41b3cbdf0</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/client-experience-the-new-battleground-for-law-firms</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>Client experience: the new battleground for law firms</title><description>Discover how law firms are prioritising client experience.</description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:28:51 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;In the fiercely competitive legal industry, client experience is no longer just a buzzword&amp;mdash;it's a critical differentiator. As the traditional reliance on billable hours wanes, law firms are shifting their focus to client feedback and profitability. This transformation is not optional; it's essential for survival in a market where client expectations are skyrocketing. This blog delves into the latest findings, underscoring the urgent need for law firms to adapt.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Performance metrics: a paradigm shift&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;For decades, annual billable hours have been the cornerstone of measuring success in law firms. However, a recent survey by ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô reveals a significant shift in priorities. Only 34% of law firm leaders now consider billable hours as the most important metric for individual performance. Instead, 64% of leaders emphasise the profitability of work, while 54% value client feedback. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;Alex Hamilton, CEO of Radiant Law, aptly summarises this change: &amp;ldquo;You&amp;rsquo;ve got to kick the habit of the timesheet as well as the billable hour, because as long as you keep telling people that more hours is a good thing, you&amp;rsquo;re going to get more hours.&amp;rdquo;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/insights/client-experience-is-now-the-focus-for-law-firm-leaders/index.html" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;This shift reflects a broader understanding that client satisfaction and efficient service delivery are more valuable than merely clocking hours. This evolution mirrors the changes in contract law, where the focus is increasingly on outcomes rather than processes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;hAdapting to client demands&lt;/h&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-5685874.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=5afc9307_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">urn:uuid:dbd8f58b-072f-4424-99a4-2f00b2a0ed66</guid><link>/blog/future-of-law/understanding-the-2024-agm-season-key-insights-for-legal-leaders</link><category>Future of Law</category><title>Understanding the 2024 AGM season: key insights for legal leaders</title><description>Key insights from the 2024 AGM season: trends in shareholder dissent, resolutions, and AGM formats. Guidance for legal leaders preparing for 2025.</description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2024 09:55:56 Z</pubDate><a10:content type="text">&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;The 2024 AGM season for FTSE 350 companies has concluded, offering valuable insights into shareholder engagement and corporate governance trends. &lt;a href="/insights/market-standards-trend-report-agm-2024/index.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;This report, produced by Lexis+&amp;reg; UK Practical Guidance&lt;/a&gt;, highlights the significant patterns observed during this period and provides guidance for law firm leaders and in-house legal department leaders as they prepare for the 2025 season.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color:initial;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;text-align:inherit;text-transform:inherit;word-spacing:normal;caret-color:auto;white-space:inherit;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A year of declining dissent&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;The 2024 AGM season marked a notable decline in shareholder dissent, reaching its lowest level in seven years. This trend, ongoing since 2021, suggests a shift in shareholder satisfaction and engagement. With 82.3% of AGMs held in physical or physical plus webcast formats, there is a clear preference for in-person meetings post-pandemic. Hybrid meetings saw a decline, while virtual meetings remained constant, with a new format of virtual meetings with restricted physical attendance emerging.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/insights/market-standards-trend-report-agm-2024/index.html" target="_blank" data-sf-ec-immutable=""&gt;&lt;em&gt;I want to read the full report&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Shifts in shareholder dissent&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;During the 2024 AGM season, the re-election of directors emerged as the top resolution attracting significant dissent, with 20 resolutions receiving notable no votes. T&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</a10:content><media:content url="/blog/images/default-source/loan-ranger/pexels-ivan-samkov-8117410.tmb-rssthumbna.jpg?sfvrsn=3ffda3e8_1" width="300" height="300" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss"></media:content></item><item><description /></item><item><description /></item><item><description /></item><item><description /></item><item><description /></item><item><description /></item></channel></rss>