Latest news
Northampton law firm becomes latest ABS
A 12-partner law firm with offices in Northampton and Milton Keynes has become the latest alternative business structure. Franklins Solicitors, which has 80 staff in all, provides a range of private client and commercial law services.
Companies facing referral fee ban “embracing opportunities” offered by ABSs
Alternative business structures are not a simple solution to circumvent the impending ban on referral fees, but referrers are starting to see real opportunities to enter the legal market themselves, a leading adviser has said.
ABS-in-waiting completes claims management acquisition
Quindell Portfolio, the AIM-listed business awaiting approval for its takeover of Liverpool law firm Silverbeck Rymer, has completed yet another acquisition by buying a leading claims management company network.
Property management company becomes first multi-disciplinary ABS
A London property management company has become the first multi-disciplinary alternative business structure. Crabtree Property Management is also the first company to use the ABS structure to enter the legal services market.
Hundreds of firms given preview of complaints data to be published by LeO
Hundreds of law firms have been sent details of the complaints information that the Legal Ombudsman is set to publish about them, Legal Futures has learned. However, it is still not clear when it will actually be published, after the July target was missed.
ABSs and City law firms could be a volatile mix to the detriment of all, consultant warns
The advent of huge amounts of “unthinking external capital into the fragile ecosystem of the legal profession” could create many unforeseen and irreversible effects among City law firms, a well-known consultant has warned.
News in brief: pre-pack saves law firm, Pannone’s white-label arm wins contract, and more
Our latest round-up includes the pre-pack sale of a Devon law firm, new business wins for Pannone and Gateley, the merger of big-hitting law firm consultancies, a new PII offering for small firms, and a bogus e-mail warning from the SRA.
Exclusive: leading non-solicitor probate provider becomes ABS
One of the country’s leading non-solicitor probate providers will today be unveiled as the newest alternative business structure. Kings Court Trust has chosen to be regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
SRA finds support for outcomes-focused approach to referral fee ban
There is broad support for an outcomes-focused approach to implementing the ban on referral fees in personal injury cases, according to early indications from the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s consultation on the issue.
CMCs enjoy 33% income rise to £774m but standards plummet in PPI goldrush
Claims management companies saw a 33% increase in turnover to £774m last year, but standards are plummeting as they “fall over each other” to bring payment protection insurance mis-selling claims, their regulator has reported.
Blog
The SRA needs to admit it got it wrong about SLAPPs
The High Court judgment in Ashley Hurst v SRA in January raises serious questions about the regulator’s approach to allegations of SLAPP-like behaviour.
Why menopause support belongs on every law firm’s agenda
Progression in the law slows significantly as women approach senior leadership. Most will be at the height of their careers around the average age menopause symptoms begin.
Law firms need to go beyond document checks
At the root of every failed compliance review is a familiar phrase: a calm assertion of “but we did a document check”.
