Legal sector quarterly review: video archive

Legal sector review 2024 Q1

This two-part video is the last in a series of quarterly reviews of the legal sector by the team behind Law Firm Ambition. (15 April 2024)

Part 1: Andy Poole covers:

Recent developments in M&A in the legal sector
The right acquirers are out there, despite some high profile failures
Tips on how to approach the sales process

Part 2: Alex Holt covers:

Tips for anyone seeking to win an award for their firm

Legal sector review 2023 Q4

This three-part video is the latest in a series of quarterly reviews of the legal sector by the team behind Law Firm Ambition. (9 January 2024)

Part 1: Andy Poole covers:

The increasing popularity of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs)
For firms where capital requirements make succession difficult
And because of the significant tax advantages for the vendors and employees

Part 2: Ian Johnson covers:

Axiom Ince’s £65m black hole
The cost of renewing practice certificates will rise, of course
And the SRA will want Reporting Accountants to be more robust in reporting issues

Part 3: Alex Holt covers:

A busy period of conferences, exhibitions, networking events, award ceremonies
It's tricky to judge ROI on overlapping events
Regulations continue to tighten (AML, etc), but AI is still the hot topic

Legal sector review 2023 Q3

The latest in a series of quarterly reviews of the legal sector by the team behind Law Firm Ambition. (4 October 2023)

Andy Poole covers:

The alarm caused by the financial difficulties of some consolidators
The exit opportunities still presented by well-run buyers in the market
Opportunities stemming from the changing regulations for ABSs in Scotland

Legal sector review 2023 Q2

This two-part video is the latest in a series of quarterly reviews of the legal sector by the team behind Law Firm Ambition. (5 July 2023)

Part 1: Andy Poole covers:

The inaugural LFA conference that took place on 6 June
The hot topics and recurring themes from that day
What you can expect from our next conference, in 2024

Part 2: Alex Holt covers:

How AI was sensibly perceived by the experts at the LFA conference
The importance of fee-earners' personal brands, and being allowed to build one
On reflection, the massive benefits of using an expert when it comes to something new

Legal sector review 2023 Q1

This two-part video is the latest in a series of quarterly reviews of the legal sector by the team behind Law Firm Ambition. (5 April 2023)

Part 1: Andy Poole covers:

The ending of the 130% super deduction
Basis period reforms, affecting partnerships without a 31 March year end
The ongoing switch to performance-based profit share arrangements

Part 2: Alex Holt covers:

Observations as a judge at the British Conveyancing Awards
The focus on staff retention and wellbeing
Pricing is being used to limit and control caseloads
Leading to higher margins, better service, happier customers

Legal sector review 2022 Q4

This two-part video is the latest in a series of quarterly reviews of the legal sector by the team behind Law Firm Ambition. (10 January 2022)

Part 1: Andy Poole covers:

How firms are reacting to rising interest rates
Potential impact of a recession
Legal sector M&A volumes and prices

Part 2: Alex Holt covers:

Beginning of market uncertainty
Anxiety in the property market, but some firms still recruiting
Complete multi-week shutdowns over Christmas for many firms
2022 was good for firms financially

Legal sector review 2022 Q3

This three-part video is the latest in a series of quarterly reviews of the legal sector by the team behind Law Firm Ambition. (6 October 2022)

Part 1: Andy Harris covers:

The various mini-Budget changes...
...including the U-turn on the additional rate of income tax
But deferring dividends may still make financial sense

Part 2: Andy Poole covers:

Declining confidence and slightly declining activity levels among law firms
Law Society's new practice note on closing down a law firm

Part 3: Alex Holt covers:

The continuing high activity levels among Cashroom's client firms
The trends and issues around the return-to-the-office
Recruitment and retention, which remains a key challenge

Legal sector review 2022 Q2

This two-part video is the latest in a series of quarterly reviews of the legal sector by the team behind Law Firm Ambition. (19 July 2022)

Part 1: Andy Poole covers:

Recruitment and retention, and the recent webinar on this
The pivotal importance of having a good culture, and measuring this
Results of the latest Pulse survey of the legal sector

Part 2: Jenny Staight covers:

How firms are coping with inflation running ahead of salary reviews
The non-salary options for remunerating staff, starting with more holiday
The key to a successful profit-share scheme

Legal sector review 2022 Q1

This three-part video is the latest in a series of quarterly reviews of the legal sector by the team behind Law Firm Ambition. (5 April 2022)

Part 1: Jenny Staight covers:

The impact of the invasion of Ukraine on law firms
The Spring Budget
The outlook for interest rates

Part 2: Andy Poole covers:

The latest survey reveals decreasing law firm confidence in Q1 and worsening cash flows
Recruitment difficulties are adding to firms' concerns
As a result, there is a move towards performance-related profit share remuneration