Alternative business structures
City law firm to launch ABS integrating legal advice with HR consulting
A City-based law firm next week launches an alternative business structure (ABS) to offer employers a range of human resources consulting and ‘employee engagement’ services, integrated with its existing legal practice.
Where are the MDPs? Waiting for the accountants to start setting them up
There is so far little evidence that alternative business structures (ABSs) will spawn large numbers of multi-disciplinary practices (MDPs), and those that do are likely to be accountancy led, it was claimed yesterday.
Parabis chief calls on SRA to keep pace with ABS ambitions and not stymie innovation
The operational end of the Solicitors Regulation Authority needs to keep pace with those at the top of the organisation who “embrace and encourage legal business innovation”, and not stymie the type of development the Legal Services Act is supposed to promote, the head of one of the major ABSs has said.
Top PI practice becomes latest ABS
A leading personal injury practice has become the latest law firm to obtain an alternative business structure licence as part of its preparations for the impact of the Jackson reforms. Co-founder David Bott is the immediate past president of APIL.
News in brief: SRA launches Hillsborough probe, two more ABSs, PC renewal timetable and more
Our latest round-up of news you need to know includes the SRA launching an investigation into the conduct of solicitors after the Hillsborough disaster, the latest ABS licences, PC renewal details, and a bid to ensure high standards of complaints handling among conveyancers.
Conveyancers far more worried by lender panels than ABSs, survey finds
Lenders’ panel selection decisions, rather than alternative business structures (ABSs), are the main cloud hanging over the conveyancing industry, according to new research. Only a fifth are planning or considering becoming an ABS.
Keoghs agrees external investment deal
Defendant insurance firm Keoghs has struck a deal to accept external investment once it receives its alternative business structure licence, it has confirmed. The firm said the funding will help accelerate its growth plans.
£50,000 cap on claims against IP ABSs criticised
A proposed £50,000 cap on compensation claims against alternative business structures licensed by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board is too restrictive, it has been argued as the board prepares to become an ABS licensing authority.
Unique niche firm to use ABS status to take on larger competitors
The only UK law firm focusing exclusively on handling liability claims for self-insured companies has become the latest alternative business structure (ABS) and plans to use the status to help it take on larger competitors.
LSB releases plan to monitor impact of ABSs on access to justice
The Legal Services Board yesterday laid out how it will monitor the impact of alternative business structures and other reforms on access to justice. The attempt to “baseline” access to justice and to evaluate change over time proposes 18 measures.
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