Law Technology News has a new Bob Ambrogi review of Casemaker and Fastcase.

What’s interesting here is not so much the details or results of the comparison (Ambrogi gives the nod to Fastcase), but the sense that both services have come a long way.  These are credible, low-cost commercial alternatives to the major legal research services that many lawyers are taking a serious look at.  Primarily offered as a benefit of membership in state and local bar associations, they are gaining widespread acceptance in cost-conscious times.

Richard Susskind, chief chronicler of the ongoing transformation of the legal industry and author of The End of Lawyers?, is taking a part-time three-year appointment as Visiting Professor in Internet Studies at the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) (press release).

The OII a department within the Social Sciences Division of the University of Oxford that focuses on multidisciplinary study of the internet and society.

The new Legal Service Act in the UK will allow combinations of lawyers and non-lawyers to deliver certain legal services, and will open up the industry to new players and investors.  UK private equity firm Lyceum Capital has tucked away £255 million (about $510 million) in anticipation of new opportunities to invest outside money in law firms.  (see £255 Million Looking for a Home – How Will it Change the Practice of Law?) (pw protected)

Here in the states, WSJ has a report on more direct types of investments – in specific lawsuits: Investors Finance Lawsuits and Reap Any Benefits – NYTimes.com. Madoff-style returns – 20%.