denotes premium content | Feb 6 2012 FD Legal archive
Volume 3 Issue 5
Welcome to the June/July issue of FD Legal.
On your marks, get set… GO! Professional indemnity renewal season is about to begin. Have you started your applications? If not, you’d better get your skates on – because if you thought last year was bad, this year’s gonna be a doozy. Get in there early or risk taking a dip in the assigned risk pool (ARP). Prepare to be questioned, poked and prodded; and when going for ‘transparency’ think ‘the invisible man’…
And if transparency weren’t enough to leave the profession feeling rather naked and vulnerable, misconduct complaints against solicitors can now be published in full. Oh dear. And in whose hands does the decision to be published lie? The complainant…
The start of renewal season also heralds the official start of summer, with wet weather and tube strikes galore. And with the
2008-2009 yearly results are also starting to trickle through, with CMS Cameron McKenna seeing profits down 14 per cent with a two per cent rise in turnover. Dentons report a 36 per cent drop in profits, but with a three per cent rise in fee income, and Herbert Smith announced a five per cent increase in turnover with prediction of a fall in profits per equity partner (PEP). With others predicting similar results, the trend seems to be for dropping PEP and a small increase in turnover. There is much speculation, however, that upcoming results will show drops in turnover, maybe even in the
On a positive note, ‘green shoots’ are being seen by one and all. But while lights, tunnels, shoots and upturns are definitely preferable to looming doom and gloom, I can’t help but feel a little wary upon reading the words of my favourite economic soothsayer, Nouriel Roubini (aka Dr Doom) when he proclaims: “Green shoots or yellow weeds?”1
As the man who predicted the current recession back in 2006 (to most people’s amusement – and my how the bankers laughed in September 2008…), he’s been pretty spot on when it comes to the events of the past year. And his views on the current green shoots are akin to weed killer.
So are we all suffering from a case of premature expectation? According to Roubini we are. But today the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) announced that the
I would like to thank all those who have helped me with this issue of FD Legal, and, as always, if there are any issues you would like to see covered or if you wish to contribute please do get in touch. Any feedback would also be very gratefully received.
Joanna Lee
Editor
Features
A welcome harmonisation?
Eleni Pavlopoulos and Kay Lee Fordham provide an overview of the proposed changes to the rules on conflicts and confidentiality.
The economic downturn – new risks and challenges
John Marshall looks at the risks brought to light by the recession and the consequent changing profile of risk.
Is four the new five?
Mark Mansell outlines the advantages and disadvantages of introducing a four-day week as an alternative to recession redundancies.
Weathering the storm
Colin Quinney discusses the Solicitors Regulation Authority, compliance and
staying on the right side of the regulatory line during these difficult times.
'Going concern’ – what will the auditors say?
Steve Gale outlines what the auditors will want to see, how firms should prepare and the ongoing process.
Law firms and lenders - who calls the tune now?
William Arthur examines how the credit crunch has changed firms’ relationships with their banks and how to make the most of a more difficult climate.
Cover story: What clients want and how the FD can give it to them
By Tim Nash
Regulars
Thought leader
Big changes ahead by Fran Gillon of the Legal Services Board
Sponsored last word
Using technology to achieve law firm business objectives: A tale of two birds
Risk focus: Picking up the pieces
By Frank Maher
