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The goal of promoting innovation and diversity in the provision of legal services through the introduction of alternative business structures “has been realised”, joint research by the Legal Services Board and Solicitors Regulation Authority has concluded. Across the market, innovation is used to extend service range, improve service quality, and attract new clients – but is “not typically used” to lower costs.

An ambitious Merseyside practice has obtained an alternative business structure licence as part of plans to start a round-the-clock “concierge service for SMEs”, and to kick-start its overseas expansion into southern Spain, targeting the British ex-pat community.

A man who falsely claimed to be a solicitor has been jailed for 15 months after being guilty of providing unregulated immigration advice and services, while another who was actually a bus driver has been handed a suspended sentence.

Judges may be reluctant to chair government inquiries if MPs on select committees question them about their recommendations, Lord Justice Beatson has warned. The judge said some MPs did not accept that chairing an inquiry was a “judicial function”.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority is investigating an immigration law firm condemned by Sir Brian Leveson for a “systemic failure” in the way it allowed an unqualified caseworker to issue a judicial review without supervision.

A senior barrister has been fined £4,000 by a Bar disciplinary tribunal for conduct “of sexual nature” towards his female pupil. Meanwhile, another barrister has been rebuked after his clients were absent from court when he knew they had been told to arrive later, but did not tell the court.

In a rare move, a barrister has been allowed to finish her pupillage at a personal injury law firm. Henrietta Hughes is set to become the first in-house counsel at Cheshire and London firm Hilary Meredith Solicitors when her pupillage ends in August.

North-west personal injury firm Thorneycroft Solicitors has been granted an alternative business structure licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as part of a major restructuring of its operations.

CourtNav, an online tool designed to help litigants in person fill out court forms, could be offered not only by an advice service based at the High Court but by advice agencies around the country, it has emerged. It won the access to justice through IT award at this week’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards.

The barrister and law firm with the top High Court win rates in England and Wales will be named later this month, Legal Futures has learned. The names will be included in a report from US analysts Premonition.