Exclusive: ABSs and other ‘NewLaw’ businesses form lobbying group
The first body to represent alternative business structures and other new-style legal practices has been launched, Legal Futures can reveal. The ABS & NewLaw Advisory Council is chaired by Jenny Beck of Co-operative Legal Services.
Investors target legal entrepreneur after stint on The Apprentice
Solicitor entrepreneur Lauren Riley has described how she has met venture capitalists and tech companies interested in her legal app after appearing in the BBC1 show The Apprentice.
Client or customer? We need a new label, says Mayson
Client, consumer or customer – no single label can describe the relationship that now exists between people and their legal services providers, Professor Stephen Mayson has argued – having previously thought that it was a distinction without a difference.
March of the accountants, part 3: EY gains ABS licence
The march of accountancy firms into legal services took a further step today when EY announced it had obtained a license from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to set up an alternative business structure.
LSB may end SRA monitoring as turnaround time for ABS applications improves
The average time taken by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to approve alternative business structure applications has fallen to an average of three months, it has emerged. As a result the Legal Services Board may end its formal monitoring of the authority’s progress.
Report: artificial intelligence will cause “structural collapse” of law firms by 2030
Robots and artificial intelligence will dominate legal practice within 15 years, perhaps leading to the “structural collapse” of law firms, a report predicting the shape of the legal market has envisaged.
BSB suspends “bomb hoax” barrister
The Bar Standards Board has issued an immediate suspension order preventing barrister Michael Shrimpton from practising. Mr Shrimpton was convicted of communicating false information at Southwark Crown Court last week.
SRA uncovers “genuinely shocking” money laundering by law firms
Some “genuinely shocking” cases of money laundering by law firms are currently going through the disciplinary system, a senior manager at the Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned the profession.
Quindell scotches report of major contract loss
Alternative business structure Quindell has quashed a news report of more problems for the AIM-listed company which led to a late dive in its share price yesterday. The share price was up sharply in early trading.
Better late than never: MoJ finally publishes report on litigants in person
The Ministry of Justice has finally published a report it commissioned on litigants in person – more than a year after it was submitted. The report criticised the Legal Services Consumer Panel for calling for greater recognition for paid McKenzie Friends.
