Regulatory & Compliance
State of the UK legal industry: the law firm view
2009 was a tough year for many UK law firms. Will 2010 be any better? Legal Strategy Review asks the leading law firms about challenges and developments in the legal sector. Here are some of the key t....  »
BVCA chairman Jeremy Hand: 'Law firms are ripe for private equity investment'
Private equity firms are eyeing up the legal industry following changes to the Legal Services Act. Non-lawyers are now free to manage legal business. Jeremy Hand lays out the new legal landscape...  »
“IP contracts are a risk management minefield”
It’s easy to place IP contract organisation at the bottom of your ‘to do’ list – and to leave it there indefinitely. But as corporate compliance rules become ever more complicated and demandin....  »
How to get the most out of your IP portfolio
The economic downturn prompted many companies to re-evaluate IP portfolios in order to monetise their assets more effectively. But what’s the best way to structure your IP department to develop the ....  »
Patent renewals: don’t bank on it
Intellectual property-focused law firms have historically accepted responsibility for patent renewals by default rather than design. But the risks associated with managing annuities can far outweigh t....  »
Jargon Buster: What is ISO 9000?
The jargon buster series clears up common misconceptions in the legal sector. What does an ISO 9000 accreditation mean? Here is a comprehensive overview of the quality management certificate.  ...  »
Conflict of interest: Are you crossing the line?
Pressure on law firms can mean that lawyers are drawn into areas of work where there may be a conflict of interest. Weightmans LLP’s Michelle Garlick looks at proposed changes to the Code of Conduct....  »
Corporate Social Responsibility: Are you serving society?
Many law firms have been dedicating valuable time and resources to pro bono work since the 1980s, but it’s only recently that corporate social responsibility has risen up the law firm agenda, writes....  »
Five simple ways to mitigate risk in IP contract management
Optimise your contract management strategy with these five top tips...  »
Six ways to reduce the cost of litigation
Here are six ways to reduce the cost of arbitration – without reducing your chances of winning your case...  »