BCLP unveils foray into legal tech start-up scene with contract negotiation platform

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BCLP unveils foray into legal tech start-up scene with contract negotiation platform

Newly merged Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) has launched a ‘home-grown’ legal tech start-up which produces a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for £5.

The online contracting tool, called Swiftagree, is the firm’s first technology product launch following its April merger, and is said to precede a number of other offerings it will launch this year. BCLP partner Barry Gross and the firm’s legal technologist Bruce Braude developed the concept. Continue reading “BCLP unveils foray into legal tech start-up scene with contract negotiation platform”

Acceleration: Mishcon de Reya aims to bring ‘propositions to life’ in second MDR LAB cohort

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Acceleration: Mishcon de Reya aims to bring ‘propositions to life’ in second MDR LAB cohort

Mishcon de Reya has announced the second cohort of companies joining the firm’s incubation programme in London in the latest of a string of moves in the legal tech space.

The five new companies range from concept-stage to revenue generating, and will join the firm’s technology incubator programme over a 10-week period from today (8 May). ThirdFort, DealWIP, LitiGate, Digitory Legal and LawPanel were all selected following a pitch day at the firm’s London headquarters on 21 March, where a total of 16 companies presented their products and ideas. Continue reading “Acceleration: Mishcon de Reya aims to bring ‘propositions to life’ in second MDR LAB cohort”

‘A walk in the park’: Linklaters and A&O launch tech solutions to traverse the margin minefield

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‘A walk in the park’: Linklaters and A&O launch tech solutions to traverse the margin minefield

As increasing numbers of derivatives players face a scramble to comply with Initial Market (IM) regulations, Linklaters has become the second Magic Circle firm in as many weeks to launch a service promising to take the pain and expense out of overhauling derivatives documents.

Linklaters has today [25 April] unveiled ISDA Create – IM at the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) annual general meeting in Miami. The platform has been developed by Linklaters using its own Nakhoda AI data tool and is backed by global trade organisation ISDA. Continue reading “‘A walk in the park’: Linklaters and A&O launch tech solutions to traverse the margin minefield”

Fuse breaker: A&O brings ‘very different’ focus to second tech lab

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Fuse breaker: A&O brings ‘very different’ focus to second tech lab

In the same week banking giant Barclays joined the rising tide of law-tech innovation spaces, one of the earlier movers, Allen & Overy, is rewiring its Fuse hub.

The firm announced Wednesday (April 25) the second cohort of companies which will join its tech innovation space in London from May, bringing what Fuse chairman and A&O partner Jonathan Brayne describes as a ‘very different’ focus since the first round in September. Continue reading “Fuse breaker: A&O brings ‘very different’ focus to second tech lab”

Rosenblatt takes ‘exciting step’ in UK’s fourth law firm listing

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Rosenblatt takes ‘exciting step’ in UK’s fourth law firm listing

Rosenblatt Solicitors will float on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) to support its growth ambitions and help it attract and retain talent.

The independent City firm, established in 1989, will become the fourth UK law firm to go public next month, following Gateley in 2015, and Gordon Dadds and Keystone Law last year. Continue reading “Rosenblatt takes ‘exciting step’ in UK’s fourth law firm listing”

Fly like an Eagle: Barclays joins raft of firms with City law-tech incubator launch

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Fly like an Eagle: Barclays joins raft of firms with City law-tech incubator launch

Banking giant Barclays is joining the trio of law firms which have already introduced forms of legal technology incubators by launching its own space for the rapidly-growing UK legal start-up market, which received about £16m of investment in the 18 months from 2016.

The 100-person law-tech Eagle Lab in London’s Notting Hill is backed by 13 law firms and several other industry players including the Law Society, PwC, start-up community Legal Geek, as well as the University of Liverpool and University College London. Continue reading “Fly like an Eagle: Barclays joins raft of firms with City law-tech incubator launch”

‘A safe space’: SRA pushes ahead with innovation agenda

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The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) yesterday (12 April) announced plans to formalise its innovation ‘safe space’ – which allows firms to develop new ideas for business lines and products that could test regulatory boundaries – with the aim of fostering innovation within the legal industry.

The initiative seeks to simplify the existing waiver process from regulatory enforcement and make the criteria clearer for firms when applying for regulatory exemptions to pursue new business models. Continue reading “‘A safe space’: SRA pushes ahead with innovation agenda”

Quest for efficiency: Reed Smith set to open new low-cost centre in Leeds

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Quest for efficiency: Reed Smith set to open new low-cost centre in Leeds

Reed Smith is set to establish a low cost legal service centre outside of London in Leeds, it has emerged.

The centre, to be named RS Global Solutions, will see Reed Smith open its second UK office to offer additional support to its London hub. Plans for the new centre are being discussed internally today (10 April) with details yet to emerge on how many roles will be affected by the move, or who will lead the management team in the new northern office. Continue reading “Quest for efficiency: Reed Smith set to open new low-cost centre in Leeds”

Preparing for Brexit – alternative provider Axiom launches new AI as deadline looms

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Preparing for Brexit – alternative provider Axiom launches new AI as deadline looms

Marking the 365-day countdown to Brexit, alternative legal services provider Axiom has today (29 March) launched a purpose-built service to aid companies revise millions of financial services contracts as the pressure to update paperwork increases with the UK’s exit from the EU looming.

Designed specifically for in-house legal teams, the service, named ‘BrexitBridge’, will incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to help companies update and rewrite their contracts they begin one of the largest contract-renewal endeavours ever undertaken. Continue reading “Preparing for Brexit – alternative provider Axiom launches new AI as deadline looms”

‘Clients want greater choice’: Fieldfisher’s Condor spreads wings through Integreon deal

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‘Clients want greater choice’: Fieldfisher’s Condor spreads wings through Integreon deal

A year since its much-touted launch, Fieldfisher’s alternative legal services platform Condor has agreed a partnership with pioneering legal outsourcer Integreon.

Launched in January 2017, Condor is a division of LB100 pacesetter Fieldfisher that offers clients a flexible package of process-efficient services. Among those on offer are contract negotiation outsourcing, contract automation and AI and robotics. Continue reading “‘Clients want greater choice’: Fieldfisher’s Condor spreads wings through Integreon deal”