Alternative business structures
Co-op to ramp up staffing as it waits for ABS go-ahead
Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) has begun staffing its family division after launching what it described as the largest recruitment drive in its history. CLS is looking to appoint up to 150 new positions. It currently has around 400 staff.
Everyman Legal to pioneer "business hub franchises" for solicitors
Everyman Legal – the ‘virtual’ practice that last October became the first law firm to announce its intention to seek admission to a stock exchange – has announced plans to pioneer “business hub franchises” for solicitors.
First ABS wannabes begin SRA application process
More than 10 prospective alternative business structures completed the first stage of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s application process on the first day, the authority has revealed. SRA figures show that it will spend a minimum of three days considering applications.
Djanogly hails benefits of ABSs to law firms and consumers as SRA opens doors to applications
Alternative business structures will make solicitors’ firms “more competitive, more accessible and more efficient”, justice minister Jonathan Djanogly claimed today as the Solicitors Regulation Authority opened its doors to the first ABS applications.
IPReg set for ABS licensing authority application
The Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg) is set to apply to become an alternative business structure licensing authority, it has emerged. A scoping document published last week lays out the process required to be designated in October 2013.
News in brief: Admiral Insurance "eyeing ABS", SRA referral fee summit, Jackson update and more
Our regular round-up includes reports that Admiral is considering becoming an ABS, the SRA starting work on the referral fee ban, Labour’s latest LASPO amendments, the Information Commissioner mulling powers to force law firm audits, and a warning over getting involved in land-banking.
Companies look at ABS switch to profit from in-house teams
A number of companies are looking at registering their legal departments as alternative business structures (ABSs) in a bid to turn their in-house function into profit centres, it has been claimed. But there are difficulties to be addressed.
Survey: home-movers not keen on big brands for conveyancing – high street solicitors do the job
Consumers are generally happy with high street conveyancers and by contrast very cool about the idea of going to a big brand to help them move house, a major new opinion poll has found. YouGov surveyed 1,959 people who had bought a house in the last two years.
Co-op plans immediate ABS application
Co-operative Legal Services has confirmed that it intends to submit its bid to become an alternative business structure on 3 January 2012 – the day the Solicitors Regulation Authority will begin accepting applications.
PwC to explore option of becoming an ABS and absorbing its legal arm
Big four accountancy firm PwC is to explore whether to absorb its associated law firm and become an alternative business structure. Legal services is the one area of the firm’s work where it is not able to operate as a totally integrated practice.
Blog
Listening, learning and leading The Solicitor’s Charity with care
As I prepare to hand over the mantle of chair of The Solicitor’s Charity next month, it doesn’t feel like an end. Instead, it feels like a wonderful journey.
Is competition in the legal sector stifling innovation?
As the legal sector’s competitive landscape continues to evolve, Nobel laureates remind us that innovation is not inevitable,and that competition may not always be an incentive to innovate.
What high-performing consumer claims firms get right
Recurring concerns about parts of the volume claims sector show that the gap between well-run firms and those struggling to manage volume effectively is widening.
