Legal Services Act
Growing amount of legal work can be “de-lawyered”, says LSB director
A growing amount of legal work could be “de-lawyered” and provided by organisations that offer a wide range of legal and non-legal services, the strategy director of the Legal Services Board has suggested.
AIM-listed conveyancing business set to become first ABS casualty
In-deed Online plc – the first listed company to buy a law firm – is now set to become the first alternative business structure (ABS) casualty after announcing plans to sell the practice back to one of its founders along with the rest of the online conveyancing company’s business.
Here come the Meerkats as BGL Group acquires Minster Law in biggest law firm sale
Meerkats entered the law today as BGL Group – one of the UK’s leading insurance intermediaries and owner of the comparethemarket.com website – received its alternative business structure licence to acquire Yorkshire personal injury law firm Minster Law.
Legal arm of publicly quoted HR consultancy gains ABS licence
The legal arm of a publicly quoted human resource consultancy boasting global blue-chip clients has been granted an alternative business structure (ABS) licence. 3HR plc offers Asian multinational companies an outsourced employment business support service
External investment in law firms to trigger process of “natural selection”
A “process of natural selection” will thin out those law firms without the backing to compete with those benefiting from external investment, a major new report has found, with half of firms polled eyeing up the possibilities of bringing in cash.
Survey: shopping around works for legal consumers, but too few do it
The minority of consumers who shop around for legal services are likely to be more satisfied by the service they receive from their chosen provider, new research has found. The findings on how consumers choose lawyers are likely to give encouragement to high street lawyers.
LSB warns Bar regulator that it has big hurdles to jump to regulate ABSs
The Bar Standards Board will be unable to regulate alternative business structures effectively until it learns more about users of barristers’ services and undergoes “significant cultural change”, according to the Legal Services Board.
Wealth management company receives ABS green light
An alternative business structure (ABS) that aims to offer fixed-price legal services to the sports and media star clients of a wealth management group, is poised to open its doors. BlackStar Legal is associated with BlackStar Group.
Newest ABS urges small firms to consider succession planning benefits
Small firms should consider the benefits of alternative business structure (ABS) status as a way to handle succession planning, the senior partner of one of the latest licensees has said. “ABS means we can end our practising certificates and still own the firm,” he explained.
LawStore targets businesses with mix of legal and non-legal services
LawStore – the consumer-facing brand developed by regional law firm and alternative business structure MTA Solicitors – will next week launch into the business market, while further high street shops are also planned, Legal Futures can reveal.
Blog
Five golden links for a caring Christmas and New Year
This time of year always sharpens thoughts about how we look after and support elderly clients and those, elderly or otherwise, who find themselves in vulnerable circumstances.
Amplifying reach through employee-driven thought leadership
Nine in 10 executives believe thought leadership is critical to building authority, yet only a quarter feel they have implemented a robust strategy.
Divorce escrow: asset sales before final settlement
When significant matrimonial assets are sold before a final financial order is agreed, holding the proceeds safely and neutrally can present real practical challenges.
