Market monitor

A not-for-profit venture capital business that promotes innovation is set to invest in a start-up law firm targeting the technology sector, Legal Futures can reveal. The unusually named Atypical Law Firm will this week submit its ABS application.

A new law firm ‘broker’ is targeting companies that believe they are overpaying for legal services. The Legal Broker argues that even the most sophisticated clients are having trouble finding value for money and good service from their external lawyers.

LegalForce, the US company that plans to build a legal services brand for innovators and start-ups based around a retail space, has stepped up its bid to build a UK network by appealing directly to sole practitioners and small law firms to apply to join.

A London chambers has become the first alternative business structure licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority that does not have any solicitors. Richmond Chambers LLP is a niche immigration set that focuses on direct access work.

The man running alternative business structure Quindell Portfolio saw his pay more than double to nearly £900,000 last year, the company’s annual report has revealed. It has also put the full cost of Quindell’s purchase of three law firms last year at £45m.

A new insurance business that will also offer wills, probate and family law services is set to go live after its law firm received an alternative business structure licence. It is the first insurance/law firm tie-up that does not involve personal injury claims.

The Co-operative Legal Services has today stepped up its attack on the legal market by launching its first ever TV and radio advertising campaign. The multi-million pound campaign will air on TV and radio stations across London.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 – 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.