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The Bellwether Report Series 2020
OMG or BAU?
Bellwether 2020: COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
You might think lawyers would be more likely to exclaim “OMG”
than insist that COVID-19 has meant Business As Usual.
But the LexisNexis 2020 Bellwether report has some surprising
findings – confidence is high and work hasn’t dried up (yet).
This is a moment of opportunity for law firms. Those that don't
adapt to new technology risk being left behind
The Future of Law. Since 1818.
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Abstract
Visit the NEW interactive
Bellwether Report 2020
www.lexisnexis.co.uk/
Bellwether2020
The sky has fallen in. Or has it? We asked the
legal market and the results may surprise you.
Small firms are more confident than expected |most believe they will survive through 2020 and
expand in the future. Despite Brexit COVID-19.
Download the
Bellwether Report 2019
Stress in the Legal Profession
Download the
LexisNexis Gross
Legal Product Index
But the crisis has changed the way the legal
industry needs to operate. Some firms have
quickly innovated - improving staff morale,
adopting new tech and seizing commercial
opportunities. Other firms risk complacency or
inertia. Is your firm at risk of being left behind?
Excel at the
business of law
This year's Bellwether will shed light on what
you need to do to stay ahead of the competition.
www.lexisnexis.co.uk/
businessoflaw
Stand out and thrive as an
independent lawyer or small
law firm partner - even in a
rapidly evolving legal landscape.
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
2
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Introduction
Aiming to explore and
investigate the issues
facing the legal market, the
LexisNexis Bellwether report
conducts groundbreaking
market research that advises,
guides, and offers insights to
independent law firms.
Last year’s report looked at
issues ranging from workplace
stress and the challenges of
Brexit. It looked at the qualities
of the “good lawyer” in today’s
legal market and the benefits
small firms can offer
the market.
To say that this year poses
all-new issues would be an
understatement. In 2020,
the industry – and the world
– has faced the emergence
and subsequent spread of
coronavirus and COVID-19.
Some firms are thriving in
the 'new BAU'. Others are
struggling to survive. A third,
complacent group don't even
know that this moment is
passing them by.
On Monday 23 March 2020,
the UK was put into lockdown.
Overnight, firms shifted their
working practices. Many
embraced home working.
Some took government support.
Others were forced
to furlough staff.
Our research reveals that, so far,
the legal industry has remained
remarkably robust. The outlook
remains optimistic, despite
the obvious challenges. As
LexisNexis’ Gross Legal Product
Index found, some areas of the
law are actually growing as a
result of COVID-19.
But are firms making
“the new normal” work?
Or are they simply
fighting to survive?
However, opinions are divided
on the long-term impact and
the future adoption of more
flexible working practices.
In this report we explore the
commercial, operational, and
human impact of COVID-19
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
3
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
1. The commercial
implications of
COVID-19
"Despite the crisis, we need to
‘keep calm and carry on’. For now,
and as a start, that may be enough."
Peter JM Declercq of DCQ Legal
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
4
1. The commercial implications of Covid-19
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
COVID-19 Front of mind
Reduced Demand
“Going forward, I'm going to be
more careful to preserve cash. I
would have wanted to go into the
crisis leaner, with fewer overheads.
We hired staff at the start of the
year expecting growth.”
COVID-19
48
%
Brexit
Partner
Nevertheless, the market is bullish.
A third believe COVID-19 will lead to an
increase in their workload in both the short
and long term. [Fig 1.3]
[Fig 1.2]
Confidence is
down, but not to
unprecedented levels
Decline 13%
78%
[Fig 1.3] Although there has been a short term hit
on demand, a third of firms have actually grown,
and the outlook is positive
85
%
91%
One of the primary concerns is cash flow.
Almost half of respondents anticipate a
short-term decrease in demand for their
services, leading 71% to express concern
that they will have insufficient work to
cover future costs. 44% are worried that
they don’t have the cash flow to meet their
current costs. To cope, firms have reduced
staff hours, cancelled subscriptions and
delayed investments, among other
cost-saving measures.
81%
Unsurprisingly, recovering from the impact
of COVID-19 is seen by more than two-thirds
of respondents to be the biggest challenge
currently facing the legal industry. Even more
agreed that the global pandemic poses a
significant threat to their business. [Fig 1.1]
[Fig 1.1] COVID-19 has thoroughly overtaken
Brexit as the key challenge facing firms
Increased Demand
Short term
33%
49%
Short Term
2016
30%
2019
2020
"How would you describe your
confidence looking forward
(Very / Quite confident)"
Long Term
11%
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
5
1. The commercial implications of Covid-19
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Confidence
is growing
37%
47% 12%
6%
Growing
Stable
Declining
Don't know
[Fig 1.5] Most firms believe they will
survive the immediate crisis - a more
confident view than earlier in the crisis
Law Society
Bar Council
32%
[Fig 1.5]
BRLN - Firm won't survive next 6 months
Total 37%
This is a starkly different picture
compared to other surveys of
the legal market. Both the Law
Society and Bar Council have
reported higher numbers of
legal practitioners fearing they
may not survive the crisis. Our
fieldwork, conducted a month or
two later, may reflect the impact
of the government’s rescue plan
in shoring up legal firms’ finances.
2020
56%
Nevertheless, fewer firms are
in distress than many would
have feared.
34%
57%
5%
Whilst the number of firms in
decline is still relatively small,
it has nevertheless doubled this
year - reaching levels we’ve
not seen since 2013-2014.
2019
71%
Our survey found that the
market is more confident than
might be expected, considering
the scale of the global crisis.
Whilst COVID-19 has knocked
2020 growth prospects for many,
firms are reporting stable rather
than declining revenues. Looking
ahead, more than two-thirds are
planning for growth in the next
five years. [Fig 1.4]
6%
5%
[Fig 1.4] Although growth has slowed, almost all firms are at least stable
BRLN - Unsure if firm will survive next 6 months
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
6
1. The commercial implications of Covid-19
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Confidence or
complacency?
Government initiatives have
been enthusiastically embraced.
Almost 8 in 10 respondents
are making use of government
support, with 78% of firms taking
up at least one COVID-19 rescue
initiative. [Fig 1.6]
The added challenge of updating
working practices and systems
whilst attracting new business has
added pressure. Once the crisis
recedes, we expect these themes
to reassert themselves.
But the COVID-19 crisis
hasn’t eradicated the previous
challenges to the legal industry
– it has just temporarily eclipsed
them. Around three-quarters of
respondents are still concerned
about staying up to date with
compliance regulations and
changes in the law.
8 in 10
“If I had known what was
coming, I almost certainly
wouldn't have undertaken
a significant acquisition last
year. But not doing that
would have been the wrong
decision – we are now in a
position to grow”
Founding Partner
[Fig 1.6] Firms have enthusiastically taken up government support initiatives
Furloughed
support staff
32%
57%
Taken out small
business loans
42%
Deferred
tax bills
Furloughed
fee earners
40%
36%
respondents are
making use of
government support
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
7
1. The commercial implications of Covid-19
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
48
%
Nearly half (48%) feel that, while COVID-19 is a critical
threat, its impact can be mitigated with an effective
response. The industry appears to have faith in its
ability to weather the crisis.
A paradox emerges from our survey data.
Firms are more pessimistic about their clients’
prospects than their own. There is no path
to recovery without a buoyant consumer and
commercial market. Firms need to take a hard
look at their sources of revenue before
becoming too complacent. [Fig 1.7]
[Fig 1.7] Firms believe COVID-19 to be a greater threat to their clients than themselves.
But, without clients - where is the work?
Firms
Clients
10%
38%
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
8
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
2. Firms’ operational
response
“There are decades where nothing
happens, and weeks where
decades happen”
“The crisis has forced the issue…it is
now apparent that working from home
can work with the right technology,
the right attitudes, and the right level
of trust and communication.”
Neil Smith, Legal Ops Specialist
Neil Smith, Legal Ops Specialist
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
9
2. Firms' operational response
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
When the crisis came, the legal industry responded.
Our survey finds that the majority of firms acted quickly to keep
working. Most reduced staff hours, are actively working to get
new clients and quickly engaged with existing clients to better
understand their businesses’ COVID-19 needs. [Fig 2.1]
But drastic measures haven’t been necessary. Fewer than 20%
of firms reported needing to take the kind of painful measures
that are common during recessions. [Fig 2.2]
[Fig 2.1] Firms moved quickly to protect their business…
32%
Furloughed
support staff
Reduce
staff hours
Incredibly, only 4% of firms have needed to make redundancies
– evidence of the furlough scheme’s success in maintaining
employment levels. As the scheme starts to taper and eventually
comes to an end (planned for October), job losses could rise –
but only 17% of firms believe it will be a necessary step. [Fig 2.3]
[Fig 2.3] Apocalypse next? Up to a fifth of firms plan redundancies
4
83
%
Other
13
%
49%
Acquire
new clients
44%
Collect overdue
payments
35%
Recruitment
on hold
28%
[Fig 2.2] …and most didn't need to take drastic measures
%
Carried
out already
57%
Delay planned
investment
18%
Cut bonuses /
profit share
18%
16%
Reduce salaries
Take on debt
Cut prices / fees
14%
8%
Planned
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
10
2. Firms' operational response
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Working from home is working
[Fig 2.4]
29
%
Average fall in productivity
as a result of home working
32%
16
%
Working at 80%
or more of previous
productivity levels
Working at less than
50% of previous
productivity levels
At the start 2020, research suggested home working was a long
way from the norm, particularly at small firms. Driven by a lack
of technology and, ultimately, the preference of senior leaders,
very few firms reported having flexible working.
The picture has flipped since the start of lockdown. Firms now
report that they have been able to move 75% of their staff to
effective home-working. A feat that would have been almost
unimaginable at the start of the year.
This shift has not come at the expense of productivity.
Very few firms believe they had seen a drop in effectiveness of
more than 50% when working remotely. On average, the impact
on output has been less than 30% - much better than feared. [Fig 2.4]
"Pre-crisis attitudes suggested a culture clash between solicitors and their managers"
“Bigger firms are starting to do open plan offices and some are working
from home, but not my firm….Some partners work from home if they
chose to, but junior staff are not able to do that. There are technologies
that could allow us work from home. But they don’t want us to.”
Junior solicitor, Small law firm
“Young lawyers coming through are too quick to see it as a 9-5 job.
You shouldn’t work 20 hours a day, but they are too quick to put
their coat on. Stay a bit longer and show that you are keen.”
Partner, Small law firm
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
11
2. Firms' operational response
Zooming ahead
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
[Fig 2.6] Firms did not necessarily have the technology
to support home working before the crisis…
Laptops to allow
remote working
58%
Cloud-based
file sharing
A majority of firms cite a lack of appropriate technology as the key challenge
to working from home. Before the crisis, most firms were not well-prepared with
the tools they now need – almost a third report not having laptops! [Fig 2.6]
Things have changed quickly with widespread adoption of tools – even if
fewer than 5% are going beyond the free versions to buy a subscription.
The next challenge is ensuring staff can use the technology effectively. [Fig 2.5]
Teleconferencing
software
44%
35%
VPN
Collaboration
tools (i.e. Slack,
MS teams)
28%
[Fig 2.7] …but they have quickly adopted them
45
%
48% of respondents said they are struggling to get to grips with the adoption
of new tech. Unsurprisingly, this difficulty is particularly acute for respondents
over the age of 45, who will perhaps look to the younger generation to lead
the way. [Fig 2.8]
“We should have been more advanced with our
49%
Growth in firms using
teleconferencing software
[Fig 2.5]
investment in technology than we were. But the
57%
Technology
is a barrier
to effective
homeworking
availability of interest free, govt backed loans and
delayed payment of tax will enable us to invest
back into the business sooner”
[Fig 2.8] Percentage struggling to get to grips with new
technology since the start of home working
61%
Over 45s
Senior Partner
Under 45s
34%
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
12
2. Firms' operational response
[Fig 2.9] Conflict of interests? Not everyone agrees on how we should return to office-based work
"How would you personally prefer to work once the crisis is over?"
WFH full time
47%
54%
Average
60%
13%
Over 45
58%
4%
Decision-makers
54%
44%
37%
15%
Disillusioned with the pre-existing attitudes of their firm
management, under 45s assume pre-crisis that their firms
will return to the status quo ante when lockdown ends.
But this cynicism may be uncharitable and inaccurate.
11%
The future of home working post-crisis divided
respondents. Our survey found that women and
younger members of the team are more likely want to
continue home working arrangements after the crisis.
The older generation (who tend to make the decisions)
are more likely to favour a return to (office-based)
business as usual. [Fig 2.9]
52%
40%
51%
10%
Generation game
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Under 45
Women
WFH part time
[Fig 2.10]
Whatever their personal preferences, most decision
makers recognise some measure of WFH will outlast the
crisis. 50% of those surveyed think that their firm is likely
to permanently change their WFH policy. This is reflective
of what staff want - 53% would like to work from home
full- or part-time in the future.
[Fig 2.10]
"Do you think your firm is likely
to change its working from home
policy once the crisis is over?"
Decision-Makers
No
Don't know
50%
11%
39%
50%
Junior Staff
20%
30%
Yes
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
13
2. Firms' operational response
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Here to stay (in some form)
Though a mostly positive picture, there have been drawbacks
from working remotely. The biggest issue, cited by 71%
of respondents, has been the lack of face-to-face contact
with clients. Given this, the anticipated death of the high
street may not come to pass. Others mention struggling
with isolation (48%) or finding it tricky to work successfully
as a team remotely (39%). Though productivity has held up,
quality of work has been more likely to suffer than efficiency.
“I have worked from home for 20 years.
It is interesting seeing the legal world
understand that it is possible and it does not
result in a lower standard of care for clients.”
Suffered
12%
Total 60%
[Fig 2.11]
More than a third report
lower quality work
when WFH
[Fig 2.11]
48%
Unchanged
Improved
Firm founder
Despite these challenges, firms are making it work.
Home working has helped the legal sector survive
the crisis. Now, to help teams thrive, it is time to
invest in the right tools and to improve ways of working.
37%
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
14
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
3. The human impact
of COVID-19
“I want a good work-life balance.
That’s more of a priority to me
than having a senior position.”
Junior solicitor, Small firm
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
15
3. The human impact of COVID-19
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Stress
- finally being prioritised
Even before the COVID-19 crisis hit, the
legal profession was struggling with mental
health issues, particularly stress. The 2019
Bellwether report, “Stress in the Legal
Profession”, found that 90% of respondents
considered stress and mental wellbeing to be
a significant issue at work. Over 60% of the
solicitors we spoke to articulated high levels
of stress, with 1 in 4 experiencing extreme
or very high levels.
Despite almost 25% believing that more
should be done to support them in the
workplace, we found there was a
“BUSINESS AS USUAL” attitude to stress.
This year, wellbeing issues have been pushed
down the priority list by the unrelenting
[Fig 3.1] Wellbeing issues have been (temporarily) overtaken by pressing business challenges…
"A significant issue at work..."
2019 Bellwether
- Stress
2020 Bellwether
- Staff morale
and wellbeing
90%
26%
Decline 64%
commercial challenges posed by COVID-19.
But despite the overriding business and
operational pressures, firms still placed staff
morale as their fourth highest priority ahead of retaining clients. [Fig 3.1] [Fig 3.2 overleaf]
Promisingly, the crisis appears to be the
long-awaited trigger for meaningful action.
Almost half of respondents report that
they have seen a greater focus on their
mental health in the wake of COVID-19
home working. [Fig 3.3 overleaf]
“Motivation and morale is down…which makes
practicing law and running a business harder.”
Senior Manager, Small firm (<5 FEs)
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
16
3. The human impact of COVID-19
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
14%
47
%
Better
Same
Less efficient
Struggling to
retain existing
client base
Impact of staff
morale and wellbeing
Insufficient
cashflow
18%
35%
44%
45%
Matters / cases
interrupted
13
%
36
%
Worse
[Fig 3.3] Some positives have
come out of lockdown
51%
40%
Troublingly, despite increased
focus, only 13% of respondents feel
the situation has improved during the
crisis. The majority feel it is either at
their firm the same, or worse. [Fig 3.4]
“Some of my bosses have the whole ‘live to work’
syndrome. I like to go out in the evenings, I don’t
want to spend it in the office. I want to leave at 5 if
Better work /
life balance
Greater focus
on wellbeing
I can…Some of the partners hang about, it is almost
More flexible
working hours
This is understandable. Last year, our
research revealed that small firms are
better at fostering a holistic culture of
staff wellbeing - so it isn't surprising
that they are reporting fewer
concerns now.
[Fig 3.4] Overall morale and wellbeing has become worse
under lockdown for a third of respondents
63%
Larger firms appear have a higher
preponderance of staff morale and
wellbeing issues. 40% of firms with
six to 20 fee earners ranked it as one
of their main COVID-19 concerns,
compared to just 17% in smaller
firms.
Less work
coming in
David and Goliath
71%
[Fig 3.2]
…but firms still view staff
wellbeing as a top priority
like they feel they have to be there.”
Junior solicitor, Small firm
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
17
3. The human impact of COVID-19
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
42%
"The following have
gotten worse since the
start of the crisis"
Junior lawyers
Founder
Stress
Hours
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
13%
24%
Senior lawyers
17%
“My work personally has suffered as I am
home-schooling and looking after my 2 very
young children, so I am working half days plus
evenings. I just feel more stressed trying to
get things done in the limited time that I have.”
[Fig 3.5] Senior lawyers have
bourne the brunt of added
COVID-19 pressure
26%
For a third of lawyers – particularly senior practitioners
– home working has had a negative impact on stress and
working hours. Younger lawyers have enjoyed spending
more time with their families or getting the chance to work
flexibly. Decision-makers, however, have been caught in
a perfect storm of tougher trading conditions, needing to
manage their firms remotely and having to get up to speed
with new tech. [Fig 3.5]
47%
Tough at the top
Work / Life
Balance
18
3. The human impact of COVID-19
[Fig 3.6] Isolation is the leading
concern for younger lawyers
66%
For juniors, isolation is their primary
concern. [Fig 3.6] They miss the buzz
of the office and the networking
opportunities it offers. For those at
the start of their careers, reduced
support and oversight from managers
is also cited as a concern. When the
biggest business priority is keeping the
show on the road, less focus is put on
professional development
and upskilling.
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
It seems there’s a risk of solicitors
replacing at-desk visibility in the office
with round-the-clock availability from
home. When you are working from your
living room, where do you draw the line
between work and home?
37%
The culture of presenteeism is an
ongoing issue for the industry. As Maaike
de Bie, General Counsel at Royal Mail,
told us: “The profession has lots of issues
around mental health and part of that
is being ‘on’ all the time.”
Junior lawyers
Senior lawyers
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
"How would you personally
prefer to work once the crisis is over?"
Flexible
working
Flexible working here to stay
here to stay
However, for the majority, the flexibility of working hours
and overall work-life balance has improved – or at least
stayed the same. This is a welcome development for many,
particularly junior lawyers. [Fig 3.7]
More than half of younger lawyers want to retain some
form of home working after the crisis. But, interestingly,
junior staff are keener to return to the office in some form
at least. It is senior staff who are more likely to prefer
working from home indefinitely in greater numbers.
[Fig 3.7]
Most want to retain some home
working after the crisis, but younger
lawyers are keener to get back
(a few days a week)
Full time from the office
Part time from home
37%
Once the crisis subsides, flexible working won’t disappear.
As Dana Denis-Smith, CEO of Obelisk Support, says:
“For anyone juggling caring responsibilities or other
commitments alongside their day job, flexible working can
make a massive difference to stress levels.”
Full time from home
54%
15%
Senior lawyers
The survey found that women have a greater tendency
than men to prefer the idea of home working – possibly
explained by a greater focus on childcare needs.
37%
40%
4%
Junior lawyers
“There are fewer time-wasting and repeated conversations.
We are more focused and efficient – we get straight to the
point. We should use COVID-19 as a trigger for working
remotely and reduce the need to go to offices.”
Associate Solicitor
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
20
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
4. Final thoughts
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
21
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Final thoughts
The impact of COVID-19 has not been as bad as feared –
so far. Confidence is surprisingly high – a function of more
resilient demand for legal services than many expected
and the enormous impact of government initiatives.
71%
[Fig 4.2} Now is the time to make sure you have the right legal information and technology
25
%
Reviewing
existing
subscriptions
The legal industry has also surprised itself with how
quickly and smoothly it has adapted to practices it
had resisted for years. 71% of firms see the crisis
as an opportunity for innovation.
“We need to accelerate the move
from paper files to digital working”
Managing Partner
[Fig 4.1] Firms are using the temporary slowdown to catch up on technology and legal content
Improving
use of tech
52%
Improving legal
processes
51%
Improving business
practices (i.e. HR,
Finance)
51%
Staff training
48%
Improving
library of legal
content
48%
Pro bono work
33%
47
%
Other
26
%
Plan to
What form will this change take? Alongside new working
practices, legal technology may finally break through into
the consciousness of small firms. Tech-averse lawyers
have come to realise that Zoom isn’t so scary. So they are
now more willing to look again at the role of technology in
their firm. It is no surprise that half of firms are using
lockdown to fully audit their tech needs and review legal
information providers. [Fig 4.1 and 4.2]
“The firm now needs to invest more in
IT and hardware so we are able to work
remotely more effectively”
Junior solicitor
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
22
4. Final thoughts
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Don’t miss the boat
56
%
I am using COVID-19
as a chance to replan the
firm's strategy
Despite the well-understood challenges the
industry is facing, relatively few respondents
say they would have acted differently had they
foreseen the crisis. This stretched our credulity
and we fear firms run the risk of confidence
slipping into complacency. Those who fail to plan
now could be caught out if the crisis prolongs or
a second wave hits in the winter. [Fig 4.4]
The legal industry can be proud of its response to
the crisis. Firms have made years of progress in
a matter of weeks. Whilst the long-term impact
of COVID-19 is yet to be seen, firms are taking
steps to future-proof themselves. The industry’s
confidence may prove warranted after all.
had good practice management software
in place at the start of lockdown.
That meant we were in a better position
than our competitors to adapt quickly
and take advantage of the opportunities
COVID-19 has created.”
Founder
[Fig 4.4] Seriously? Only a fifth of firms would have
done things differently if they had a second chance
to prepare for COVID-19
Had better
tech in place
Is your firm at risk of being left behind?
Had better
procedures
in place
3%
COVID-19 is an
opportunity for
innovation
While three-quarters of those surveyed believe
the crisis offers them the chance to drive change,
they may be missing the opportunity. Only 56%
are currently using the time to plan their firm’s
longer-term strategy. [Fig 4.3]
very recently done a big IT update, so we
9%
71
%
“We already worked flexibly and had
20%
[Fig 4.3] If firms don't act quickly,
this opportunity for innovation could slip away
Rehearsed
home working
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
23
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
Gross Legal Product Report
It has rapidly become a platitude, but it
is hard to overstate the impact COVID-19
has had on the legal community.
Our industry is facing its greatest operational
and commercial challenges. The long-term
impact is still hard to gauge. Whilst most
areas of the market have proved innovative
and resilient, there will inevitably be some
organisations - firms, corporates, chambers,
charitable groups and academic institutions who will struggle to survive the next
few months.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is a measure of
the level of demand in an economy, tracked
using a representative basket of goods and
services. Our GLP (Gross Legal Product) index
works in exactly the same way – it measures
a set of influencing factors and activities to
estimate demand in the Legal Market.
Download the Report
LexisNexis GLP Index
LexisNexis GLP Index
6. Recommendations
6. Recommendations
Market Demand Index report
Market Demand Index report
Make use of government schemes:
Build robust business practices
• Where you need to, have you made use of government COVID-19 schemes? You can find what financial support is
available for your business (including loans, tax relief, cash grants, job retention scheme) on HMRC’s website
NOW
• 78% of firms we surveyed had made use of at least one of the government’s COVID-19 business support initiatives,
with 57% furloughing staff and 42% taking out a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan
NEXT
(continued)
Keep control of your cash:
• Outbound – are there any unnecessary costs you can strip out or delay? Review your variable costs, placing
restrictions on any non-essential items. Seek payment holidays or negotiate discounts (particularly for rent,
mortgages or services you haven’t been able to use because of lockdown). Have you considered moving to digital
services – these are often better value and more flexible than the traditional offline alternatives?
Aneliya Vazharova
Senior Financial Manager,
LexisNexis
aneliya.vazharova
@lexisnexis.co.uk
• Incoming – although your customers may also be struggling, stay on top of your receivables. Invoice timely and
accurately and don’t be shy to chase late payments. Proactively negotiate payment plans to ensure some steady cash
flow and partial recovery in case of bankruptcy. Review your credit facilities and draw down any cash reserves you
may need.
• Forecast your cash flow regularly – you need to understand the impact and be proactive in addressing any upcoming
threats to your business. A regular cash flow forecast will help you make quick decisions and test scenarios as more
information becomes available.
• Make use of temporarily ebb in volume of work to invest time in the core functions of your business
to put your practice on a firmer footing for the future. More than half of firms are reviewing their
long-term strategy or researching better business systems or research tools
• Systems – Are you using the MS Office suite effectively? Do you have a CRM and matter management
tools? Are you using them well? Are there any tech vendors you haven’t had time to assess or meet with?
Improve your Marketing strategy
• It is easy for your customer to find out who you are and what you do? Is your website clearly written and
engaging?
Matthew Leopold
Head of Brand, LexisNexis
matthew.leopold
@lexisnexis.co.uk
• Do you know who your target customers are
– their job GLP
titles and
companies?
LexisNexis
Index
Does your marketing collateral speak to these people and resonate with their problems?
LexisNexis GLP Index
• Have you considered how to use digital marketing to acquire new customers? Search Engine Optimisation
or Search Engine Marketing is a good way to be found. Don’t forget the power of building a network on
social media.
2.2 Executive Summary - Segments
2.2 Executive Summary - Segments
Embrace remote working
Understand your customers and your value proposition
• Are you working efficiently during lockdown? Our Bellwether survey of smaller firms suggests productivity has
dropped by 29% on average. Make use of video conferencing software and collaborationCOVID-19
tools (Teams or Slack)
Practice Area exposure
• Consider what elements of your legal workflow can be digitised. Legal research, billing and contracts can be easily
managed with digital innovations
8
%
• Have regular, scheduled contact with your team – if you don’t put it in the diary each day or week, it likely won’t
Insulated
happen. Keep a mix of work-related meetings and more casual catch ups, virtual coffees or team remote
drinks
• Lockdown will be affecting your staff in different ways – think about their working set up at home, childcare
pressures and whether they feel isolated
Follow LexisNexis UK
Kingsley Daniels
49%
Counter-cyclical
43%
• Analyse your own business to help inform your plan – what are your best lead sources, who or where are they
generated from, how profitable is this, is it scalable?
COVID-19
• Tailor your approach to your business, culture and resources. Then bring your entire organisation into
a cultural shift
impact
that puts BD at the heart of your staff’s interactions
• If your existing business lines aren’t sufficient, diversify
• Get the simple things right. Do you have a pipeline of prospect customers? Have you identified the most promising
industries or areas for your firm? How do you manage inbound leads and take prospects through a sales funnel?
LexisNexis
38
33
%
Counter-cyclical
Join the discussion @LexisNexisUK
COVID-19 has hit high street lawyers hard and fast. However, after solid recent
growth in demand for their services (+4.5% since 2017), they should be on a firmer
footing to weather the crisis today, than if it had hit several years ago. The segment
has benefitted from more of their firms working in fast-growing or otherwise
resilient Practice Areas. With traditional consumer work such as Private Client,
Crime and Family making up almost 40% of high street firms’ workload, demand at
these firms should have been stable in the last 3 years. Augmenting this core have
been pockets of high growth. Despite Brexit uncertainty, the residential property
market has performed well - driven by the Help to Buy initiative and recovering
transaction volumes. Specialists in smaller niches such as Immigration, Competition
GLP
Indexin demand for their services.
or Risk have likely seen anLexisNexis
even faster
growth
34%
The Future of Law. Since 1818.
LexisNexis GLP Index
Insulated
Unfortunately, some of these top performing areas are now seeing the greatest
• 80% of firms are improving their technology and working practices. This has been led by a 47% increase
short-term COVID-19 impact.
The Property
market has effectively shut down for
%
+15.2%
-24.8
in use ofmay
videoconferencing
platforms and
in thecertain
short term,
the next phase of adoption is likely to
The immediate impact of COVID-19
not be too dramatic,
firmsbut
with
2 months and all Immigration
has
been halted. Firms’ finances have been insulated
2017-19
Q1 2020
include legal research tools and efficiency solutions
GROWTH
GROWTH
larger practices in counter-cyclical Practice Areas will actually be experiencing
big
by government intervention
(with
57% of firms furloughing staff and 42% taking
Slowing
DiversifyEven
or rebalance
your practice
increases in demand (and revenue).
some Practice
Areas with weaker longer-term
Slowing
out a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan), so should survive the
immediate
prospects are likely to see an uptick in work over the next few months.
fallout. Thereafter, those firms working in the Practice Areas we have identified as
• Look at your service lines – how well aligned are they with our counter-cyclical Practice Areas?
Are Prices
there & Transaction Volumes
Property
Past Reccessions
(Between
beingDuring
counter-cyclical
should
see a1987-2020)
speedy recovery. This underlying confidence is
any faster growing areas you could move into? Is it time to change your approach in struggling areas?
2000
Beyond the immediate fallout, large firms which have a heavy exposure to Practice Areas600
reflected in our upcoming Bellwether survey, which found that 68% of small firms
• Make
use of tools
and research
to facilitateand
yourInsolvency
diversification
and fill any gaps in your staff’s knowledge
hit by COVID-19 face tougher
long-term
prospects.
Restructuring
and
expect
to grow over
the
next 5 years despite the impact of COVID-19.
• Mixed
growth since 2017 – headwinds in both residential
and commercial
real
estate,
Employment specialists will •beCan
busy
years
come,
but
they account
foryourselves
only
9%aof
youfor
merge
or to
partner
with
another
firm to give
broader base for future crises?
completion
partners at the top 100 firms. Property teams will see lower volumes of commercial
real 500volumes impacted by Brexit uncertainty
Longer-term outlook
estate work and even with adoption of remote proceedings, litigation work is•unlikely
to
Total freeze
in market caused by lockdown. Some counter-cyclical demand
1500
COVID-19
quickly return to pre-crisis volumes.
(rent negotiations, force majeure,
Practice CVAs)
Area exposure
Practice Area 4.11: Property
The Future of Law. Since 1818.
General Practice & Consumer
400
Practice Area 4.11: Property
300
Overall growth between 2017-2019
%
39
COVID-19
impact
+15.2%
-24.8%
2017-19
GROWTH
Q1 2020
GROWTH
+11.7
While these%
dynamics will likely increase demand for legal services in 2020, the longer-term
outlook is less hopeful. Share prices of the UK’s biggest landlords have fallen 59% and have not
rebounded like the rest of the market. Demand for office space is likely to structurally change as
businesses encourage a greater share of their workforce to work from home and reassess their
estate needs. These dynamics, combined with likely large-scale insolvencies for high street
Growth of In House corporate counsel work has outstripped that real
of Private
and a shift towards online retail, could create a perfect storm for commercial property
Practice. Given its weighting towards high-growth Practice Areas retailers
and the trend
prospects
beyond 2020.
towards insourcing, demand has grown by 12% since 2019. Two of
the biggest
Corporate
• Strongly pro-cyclical Practice Area in the long run. Although
housing market is reopening, may take years
transaction volumes19
to recover. Commercial real estate likely to decline with shift to remote working
%
+3.7for
and online shopping
Overall growth between 2017-2019
1000
200
For General Practice or larger Consumer firms, their more varied mix ofRecent
work performance
500
(compared to the Top 100) has generated faster recent growth in demand of 5%.
areas
workmusic
for corporate
counsel – Employment and Compliance – have been
Property has had a mixed performance over the past few years.
Theofmood
hasn’t been
Employment legal work, particularly tribunal volumes, have been buoyed by a
question
100
thecyclical
fastestand
growing
the past 3 years. Risk and Compliance inThe
particular
has residential conveyancers will be asking is – how quickly will the market rebound?
favourable. Residential
property performance, which is strongly
proneover
to exogenous
backdrop of record-breaking labour market health. Steady demand for Family and
To try This
and ispredict this, we have plotted transaction volume recovery from the last 2 major
takenproperty
a greaterwork
share
ofbeen
legal attention since the introduction of GDPR.
shocks (of which we aren’t short), has been subdued. Commercial
has
Private Client work have meant that decline in Dispute Resolution and Crime
reflected
the increased
hired, data
recessions.
Generally, house prices took either 23 (early 1990s recession) or 25 (2008 credit
more mixed - the retail sector has felt severe pressure with the
shift to in
online
shopping,number
whilst of Data Protection Officers (DPO)
0
0
hasn’t supressed overall growth between 2017 and 2019.
crisis) quarters to return to pre-recession levels (see fig. 4.11.5 below). Transaction volumes, the
commercial office building and rents have (until recently) beenbreaches
buoyant.recorded and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) interventions.
33
better measure of conveyancing activity, are even slower to recover. It took 51 quarters to return
8
19 7
88
19
8
19 9
9
19 0
91
19
9
19 2
9
19 3
9
19 4
9
19 5
96
19
97
19
9
19 9
98
20
00
20
01
20
0
20 2
03
20
0
20 4
0
20 5
06
20
0
20 7
08
20
0
20 9
1
20 0
1
20 1
12
20
13
20
1
20 4
1
20 5
16
20
17
20
1
20 8
1
20 9
20
COVID-19
impact
Overall growth between 2017-2019
Going into the COVID-19 crisis, while regional firms may be in a weaker financial
This trend
likely to continue,
as In House work is weighted towards
areas
This has manifested in a 15% growth in demand for%
legal services.
Whilstis residential
house prices
to pre-1990
recession levels and volumes have still not returned to pre-2007 levels, 52 quarters
position than their City peers, demand for their services should hold up more
which
will
see
counter-cyclical
growth during the COVID-19 crisis.
Moments
Average(the
Pricebetter
All Residential
Property
Types
(Index,
= 100)
grew 8.4% over the last two years, completions
proxy
for
legal
activity)
has1987
fallen
later.
Insulated
consistently (with 63% of work steady or increasing). We expect Employment
to
of helped
crisis typically
requirelawyers
C-Suite leaders to consult with their General Counsels
-5.4%. More
legally complex Help
to Buy transactions will have
conveyancing
Period of Recession
Annual UK Residential Property Transactions (#, Seasonally Adj)
remain a star as clients review their staffing levels and Corporate work (growing
should keep
more
closely.
We
expect
that
corporate
counsel
will
see
material
growth
in
their
at c.80%) but complex residential planning
applications fell by 19% over the same
%
Although the COVID-19-induced recession is of a different nature - demand or market sentiment
a steady supply of income. Private Client and Family are likely to be resilient
and
Risk and
Insolvency
and Tax work as their companies plot their
period.
Housing starts, a strong forward-looking indicator, areCommercial,
positive growing
at 16.3%
may recover more quickly than in previous instances. However, historical precedent suggests that
may even see an increase in work, driven by the challenges of extendedwhich
lockdown
Counter-cyclical
recovery. Furthermore, however bullish your outlook for the jobs market, greater
might provide a small amount of
good news…
it may take years for residential property activity to return to 2019 levels.
and the healthcare crisis. Property is likely to be the biggest headwind for growth.
churn and increased regulatory or political activity are almost certain. As such,
Conveyancing specialists will be interested in our deepdive analysis of the speed of
Employment legal activity will likely continue to grow in the medium term, even if
market recovery on page 29.
we see a deteriorating picture in the broader economy.
48
5
6
-59 %
-70 %
4.11.1. Residential property drivers (2017-19)
50
+16.3%
Haven't
paid rent
+8.4%
Housing
building starts
Residential housing
transactions
4.11.5 Property Prices & Transaction Volumes During Past Reccessions (1987-2020)
Property Prices & Transaction Volumes During Past Reccessions (Between 1987-2020)
LexisNexis
%
2000
600
20 %
500
Likely not
to pay
1500
400
Major domestic
planning applications
1000
300
House prices
-5.4%
200
500
All trend data and model inputs taken from government or publicly
available sources. Where possible, specific sources have been cited.
For more information, please contact the report’s author.
100
0
0
-19.0%
19
8
19 7
88
19
8
19 9
9
19 0
91
19
9
19 2
9
19 3
9
19 4
9
19 5
96
19
97
19
9
19 9
98
20
00
20
01
20
0
20 2
03
20
0
20 4
0
20 5
06
20
0
20 7
08
20
0
20 9
1
20 0
1
20 1
12
20
13
20
1
20 4
1
20 5
16
20
17
20
1
20 8
1
20 9
20
Quantifying legal demand
growth and the impact of
COVID-19
30% 37%
+4.5 %
Small and Solo
39%
19
Download the
LexisNexis GLP Index
report June 2020:
Continue the conversation, contact:
businessoflaw@lexisnexis.co.uk
COVID-19
Practice Area exposure
Insulated
27%
slower volume growth over the last few years (we have not sought to model revenue
growth). Financial Services has fallen back slightly following a peak in 2016-17 and
Dispute Resolution has been
affectedand
by atech
long-term
trajectory of decline in trial and
Efficiency
adoption
appeal volumes. It may well •beThe
that
the largest firms in the country have been able to
legal market has just made years of progress in tech adoption in just a few months –
navigate these trends and increase
their
workload
of a Try
slower
macro picture.
are you
at the
vanguardin
or spite
a laggard?
the LexisNexis
tech adoption quiz
LONGER
Alternatively,
City
firms
may
have
been
more
successful
in monetising demand than the
-TERM
• There will be greater pressure than ever from clients on fees – are your processes as
rest of the market - growing fees more quickly than volume of activity. This latter point is
efficient as they need to be? Are there any areas you can automate to free up FE time
supported by the fact that FE for
numbers
(a betterwork?
proxy for the amount of work that needs
more productive
to be done) have grown more slowly - c.2% p.a, closer to our model’s growth rates.
AT-A-GLANCE
• Are your clients busier or facing new challenges? Does COVID-19 create any opportunities for your firm – focus
on the Practice Areas we have identified as counter-cyclical (such as employment). There may be opportunities to
deepen your relationship with existing customers
• COVID-19 creates an opportunity. Both your existing and future customers will attach enormous value to legal insight
that supports their current situation. Help them to consider some of their business challenges through a different lens
Director of Business
Development, LexisNexis
kingsley.daniels
@lexisnexis.co.uk
+0.6 %
• Adopt an experimental mindset – if you were previously slow to change working practices, you should now
be open for rapid experimentation. Design Thinking is critical - be prepared to fail andCounterlearn (many times), COVID-19
impact
cyclical
Our model estimates that underlying
demand
for legal
services
has grown
by just
1% recognise that you are
so experiment
cheaply
to quickly
gain insight.
Customers
should
trying to improve
since 2017. This stands in stark
contrast
data, which
(even
stripping out
your
servicesto
sorevenue
should welcome
this (even
if it after
is disruptive)
• Information clarity and consistency - our new normal has many new terms and an abundance of people
trying to be heard. Cut through the noise with simple and consistent Information Design across all touch
Our numbers are lower because
of the
heavy exposure to Practice Areas with
points
withsegment’s
your customers
• Have you spoken to your top clients since lockdown? Don’t let your internal challenges prevent contact with
customers
Business Development
COVID-19
• Your customers are severely disrupted, it is time to revisit how you think about them. Empathy
Mapping
Practice
Area exposure
and Event Storming will help you understand their new normal. These techniques help identify potential
areas of unmet need which could
provide
you
with new
business opportunities
Overall
growth
between
2017-2019
the impact of large mergers) has increased by more than 10% over the same period.
Protect existing customer base
NEXT
Top
100
Matt Wardle
Director of UX, LexisNexis
matthew.wardle
@lexisnexis.co.uk
Average Price All Residential Property Types (Index, 1987 = 100)
The Future of Law. Since 1818.
Period of Recession
29
The Future of Law. Since 1818.
Annual UK Residential Property Transactions (#, Seasonally Adj)
-59 %
-70 %
31
50%
20 %
+16.3%
Haven't
paid rent
Likely not
to pay
+8.4%
Housing
building starts
Residential housing
transactions
Major domestic
planning applications
House prices
-5.4%
1. The commercial implications of COVID-19
3. The human impact of COVID-19
2. Firms’ operational response
4. Final thoughts
-19.0%
24
The Bellwether Report Series 2020
COVID-19 and the Legal Industry
The Future of Law.
Since 1818.
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