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60-second interview: Fiona Smith

Fiona Smith tells Jennifer Palmer-Violet about her strategic aims ?as she takes the reins of Forsters' private client practice

Litigation | Managing near misses

The courts are yet to grapple fully with the move in the Jackson reforms to reverse Carver, says Simon Gibbs

Tackling lock-up syndrome

If you are in a high street firm battling with your bank to keep your payment facility so you can fund work in progress, her';s a new set of stats you could drop in the conversation next time. According to research by accountancy network MHA, profit per partner at two- to four-partner firms has grown by an astonishing 27 per cent last year to an average of £145,351. And the average net profit percentage rose from 24 to 28, an increase which appears to be result of their unique scale. These firms are more nimble, according to MHA's head of legal services Harmy Gill, and more able to “turn increased fee income streams into increased bottom line profitability”. At 60 per cent of fee income, their employment costs were also the lowest ones.

Adapt to survive

If consumers can be empowered to shop around for legal services we could reap the benefits, says Warren Smith. But the profession too must change

The charitable divide: why lawyers either side of the channel take a different approach to contentious probate

Wills-related litigation involving charities 'has trebled in the UK, 'a rise not matched in neighbouring jurisdictions. 'Jennifer Haywood 'and Michel Lévy compare the legal environments 'and cultural differences on both sides of the channel

Measuring the unmeasurable: KPIs for your people strategy

How successful is your people strategy? Jill King examines the key performance indicators that can help to create a firmwide benchmark

Silent witness

Vulnerable witnesses do not have to give oral evidence to employment tribunals, the Court of Appeal has ruled. 'Its guidance on correct procedure should be noted, says 'Anna Macey

A matter of life and death

Recording a client's final wishes stretches to organ donation for adults ?in Wales now the government has passed a new transplant bill, says Matthew Evans