Training Matters - March 2010
College of Law Media
Practice management focus: Staying Competitive and Solicitors’ Costs Estimates
Continuing our focus on management, we bring you two new programmes - the first on client care and winning new business, and the second on specific information on costs which solicitors must provide to clients in light of recent litigation.
Staying Competitive
It is well known that competition in the legal services market is greater now than ever before, with additional harsh challenges ahead for many lawyers. This problem is compounded by a decreasing amount of legal work and an increasing pressure from clients to lower fees. College of Law Media programme 5490 examines how law firms can stay competitive in a difficult market by being creative. It looks at innovative client care practices and considers the debate on the alternatives to hourly rates and what firms should be implementing in order to win new business. The programme features expert guidance and interviews with Nigel Frudd of Rosenblatt Solicitors, Stuart Little of Shoosmiths and Tony Williams of Jomati Consultants LLP.
Extract from College of Law Media programme 5490, Lntv Practice Management & Compliance: Staying Competitive
Solicitors’ Costs Estimates
Rule 2 of the Solicitors’ Code of Conduct 2007 outlines the specific information as to costs that solicitors must provide to their clients at the outset of a retainer. In the recent case of Mastercigars Direct Limited v Withers LLP, the established ‘percentage margin approach’ taken by the courts to a firm’s recovery of costs in excess of those estimated has been reconsidered, prompting the need for solicitors to review the way in which they supply accurate costs information. College of Law Media programme 5498 looks at the judicial interpretation given to the SCC Rules both prior to and following the decision in the Mastercigars litigation. It also discusses the provision of costs estimates in practice. The programme features interviews with Jamie Carpenter of Hailsham Chambers, Tony Guise of Guise Solicitors and David Holland of Landmark Chambers.
Extract from College of Law media programme 5498, Lntv Practice Management & Compliance: Solicitors’ Costs Estimates
Programmes 5490 and 5498 are available now to College of Law Media subscribers.
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Further conduct and management training
As leaders in legal training, The College of Law offers a range of professional conduct and management training. Our Management Course Stage 1 (featured in our main article) includes a new financial case study and our Associates Management Development Programme includes modules examining strategy, risk management, advanced communication skills and managing finance. For further information please e-mail our Customer Contact Centre at pd@lawcol.co.uk