Market monitor

The number of personal injury claims registered with the Compensation Recovery Unit increased marginally over the last year, but still remain low compared to recent history.

A majority of people in England and Wales think the legal system is not set up for ordinary people, with only half seeking advice from a lawyer when faced with a legal problem, new research has found.

The number of law firms involved in conveyancing has dropped below 4,000 for the first time for many years, while the top 1,000 have a bigger share of the market than ever, according to new research.

The personal injury market is experiencing a “calm before the storm”, with law firms trying to assess their options rather than actively planning to exit, ‘We buy any files’ pioneer Neil Hudgell has said.

The Civil Liability Act reforms will lead to a sharp contraction in the claimant personal injury (PI) market, with firm closures and staff redundancies, according to a survey of solicitors.

Recruiting and retaining talent is the top priority among mid-sized law firms, ahead of efficiency and financial performance, according to a benchmark survey of preoccupations as they devise strategy.

Gateley – the first listed law firm – is expected to announce an 18% rise in turnover in its annual results, with profits up 10%, it told shareholders today. However, its share price dipped on the news.

The decimation of legal aid has contributed to “the systematic immiseration of millions across Great Britain”, the UN’s expert on poverty and human rights said yesterday.

Shares in Knights rose yesterday on the back of a strong trading update, with their price now doubled since the national law firm floated last June. Revenue for the financial year is expected to be up 50%.

Evidence of misrepresentation, dishonesty and fraud by medical agencies supplying solicitors with expert reports means the government should consider formally regulating them, MedCo has argued.

The head of the body building the new whiplash portal has insisted that the organisation “does not dictate policy to ministers”. He also revealed that the cost of setting up the portal would be £15m.

The private equity backer of failed personal injury firm Roberts Jackson is set to lose its entire £22.5m investment, while unsecured creditors will only receive pennies in the pound.

The partners of listed law firm DWF have donated 1.8m shares, currently worth £2.1m, to its charitable foundation. The award will enable the DWF Foundation to expand and sustain its grant-giving.

Judges on the frontline of the court modernisation programme has expressed “serious concerns” that the £1bn committed to the reforms will run out before they can be completed.

A former general counsel and City partner has launched an online service that aims to simplify and speed up the way in-house lawyers instruct external law firms.