Alternative business structures
Utah become first US state to embrace ABSs
Utah has become the first US state to embrace alternative business structures in response to what has been described as an access-to-justice crisis exacerbated by Covid-19.
Hedge fund-backed debt business launches ambitious ABS
An alternative business structure has been launched by a hedge fund-backed business that finances commercial debt recovery litigation, with ambitious plans for expansion.
Litigation financier takes groundbreaking law firm stake
Litigation financier Burford Capital has lived up to its self-description as “the legal profession’s investment bank” by taking a minority stake in a London law firm in return for providing finance.
Conveyancing “roaring back”, says fast-growing ABS
A rapidly expanding alternative business structure which combines conveyancing and mortgage advice is expecting a record month as the property market roars back.
Financial adviser owned by staff and clients launches ABS
A firm of financial advisers has launched an alternative business structure to provide its clients with legal services which it claims are faster and “at least a third cheaper”.
ABSs “reshaping boundaries of law” with integrated services
Alternative business structures are reshaping the boundaries of the law by emphasising the benefit of integrated professional services, rather than pure legal knowledge, a leading academic has argued.
Advocacy services firm becomes ABS
An advocacy services firm which attended over 6,000 hearings last year has become an alternative business structure so it can add qualified advocates to its team of solicitors’ agents.
ABSs in US move closer in wake of Covid-19
The Utah Supreme Court is pressing ahead with plans to become the first US state to introduce ABSs, saying the Covid-19 crisis underscored the need for innovation in the legal market.
Class action firm splits from US partner as it targets Brazil
A class action law firm that launched less than two years ago in conjunction with a specialist US practice is now going its own way as it targets bringing Latin American cases in London.
Exclusive: US legal giant sells its ABS to consolidator
US legal services giant LegalZoom has sold the Yorkshire law firm it bought more than four years ago to consolidator Metamorph, Legal Futures can reveal.
New ABS targets ‘David and Goliath’ insurance disputes
A start-up alternative business structure has been launched to bring City solicitor expertise to bear to help consumers and SMEs win disputes when insurers fail to honour their policies.
Huge growth at PI ABS but Leeds office put on ice
Staff numbers at personal injury law firm Bond Turner grew by 65% last year but the listed company that owns it has put the firm’s expansion to Leeds on hold during the coronavirus crisis.
Exclusive: SRA to regulate National Accident Helpline
National Accident Helpline is giving up its authorisation as a claims management company and will in future be overseen by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Legal Futures can reveal.
Time for Scotland to embrace ABSs, says watchdog
The Competition and Markets Authority has called for alternative business structures to be allowed in Scotland, and for a shift to the independent regulation of lawyers.
Arizona looks to become first US state to allow ABSs
Arizona has become the first state in the US to formally seek the introduction of alternative business structures, it has emerged.
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Cognitive diversity – why it should be top of your list in 2021
Whilst many firms have made admirable leaps to improve diversity, both at board level and more broadly, one area of diversity that is less well-known or reported on is that of cognitive diversity.
Innovating an outdated criminal justice system
HMCTS has embarked on an ambitious reform programme that has undeniably instigated significant progress in the modernisation of the criminal justice system.
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