The Gazette looks into the expense rates for city lawyers during the early 90's. Also, in a 1954 edition, new phone technology is advertised that 'everyone in your business needs'.

Law Society’s Gazette, November 1993

Are corporate law fees too high, as the Lord Chief Justice charges? Not in the City of London, replies sole practitioner and taxation assessor Harvey Crush.

The Lord Chief Justice was recently reported to be sharply critical of the high level of fees charged by the profession which, in the case of weightier corporate law cases, were said to be ‘often out of all proportion to a reasonable rate for the job’.

In 1992 the local law societies for Holborn and the Cities of London and Westminster… managed to shake out of otherwise reticent firms confidential data on expense rates… the average hourly expense rate per fee-earner in the City of London was £111.46… the rate for trainee solicitors, paralegals and less senior legal executives was £62.04… partners lumped with assistant solicitors over three years admitted produced an average rate of £171.26. Commercial work of the highest quality is available elsewhere at lower cost, particularly in other large cities, but the reason why firms from those cities seek to open offices in or near the City of London is that clients want the work done there.

Law Society’s Gazette, November 1954

New technology [advertisement]No repetition of conversations when two or more people are together… Doubles her efficiency: leaves both hands free for switchboard operation… Leaves you free to refer to files whilst the receiver is still on the FONADEK.

Holding on for connections, repeating conversations – tied to a telephone. All these meant loss of time, money and efficiency EVERY time [you] used a TELEPHONE.

A Fonadek by the ’phone guarantees increased efficiency, eliminating up to two hours’ wasted time each day. The Receiver (G.P.O. or internal Telephone) is placed on the Fonadek, it is then possible to speak and hear freely whilst carrying on normal work.

Everyone in your business from Executive to Telephone Operator needs a Fonadek.