New Zealand lawyers most likely to quit UK

New Zealand lawyers most likely to quit UK
Foreign-born lawyers working in the UK are weighing the impact of Brexit on their lives and careers but a recent study shows that only 10 per cent plan to quit.

New Zealanders are the most likely to decide to return home before they retire (more than 80 per cent) followed by Aussies (around 60 per cent).

The poll by UK publication The Lawyer shows that New Zealanders are only slightly behind those born in EU countries other than Ireland when it comes to those contemplating leaving the UK legal profession “soon”.

A third of Australian-born lawyers said they felt less welcome in the UK following the Brexit referendum while 61 per cent said they had experienced no change.

Kennedys launches AI tool for personal injury claims
International law firm Kennedys has turned to artificial intelligence to help streamline the defence of personal injury claims.

KLAiM is an online tool which helps guides insurers through the early stages of litigation and even enables the direct instruction of Counsel when costs have not been agreed and attendance is required – all without instructing a lawyer.

“Although seemingly counter-intuitive for a defendant law firm to develop a tool that removes a revenue stream, we’re of the belief that lawyers should be instructed only when they’re really needed,” explained Richard West, the head of Kennedys’ liability division. 

Aspiring lawyers’ interest in political careers is growing
More of the next generation of lawyers is already eying a move into a political career.

A study by education firm Kaplan found that the percentage of pre-law students who would consider running for political office increased to 53 per cent in 2016 from 38 per cent four years earlier.

The US-based research reveals that the interest in a diversion from law into politics is at its highest since 2008 when Barack Obama was elected. However, 43 per cent said they thought it would be best not to discuss their politics when applying for law school.

Lawyers make up the single largest profession of the current US Congress with 35 per cent and about half of all US governors are law school graduates.