Commercial claims company eyes ABS status
A commercial claims management company is considering converting to an alternative business structure (ABS) to further its work in aiding investors recoup losses from complex investments which they have been mis-sold.
Warning over “unbelievable” referral fee ban timetable that could leave firms just weeks to adapt
Law firms may have just weeks to reorganise their business plans once a decision is made on enforcing the ban on referral fees in personal injury work, a leading practitioner has warned while branding the situation “unbelievable”.
BSB sets course for barrister partnerships in 2013 and ABSs in 2014
Barristers are likely to be allowed to form partnerships next year and before they can create alternative business structures, the Bar Standards Board said last week. Meanwhile, it dropped a proposal to force barristers to withdraw from cases where a client refuses to reveal previous convictions to the court.
Smith: put online NHS Direct for law at heart of radically reformed legal aid system
An online NHS Direct for law, supported by 30 law centre-type operations in key areas around the country, should form the basis of a radical new approach to publicly funded legal services, according to a leading legal thinker.
Streamlined and quicker ABS licensing process on the way
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to “streamline” the alternative business structure (ABS) application process, its chief executive has revealed after its approach and the time it takes were criticised at a high-profile event yesterday.
Southampton firm scoops Law Society innovation award for online business club
A Southampton law firm that has set up a business club for entrepreneurs last night won the Law Society award for excellence in innovation. The society’s annual Excellence Awards also saw recognition for QualitySolicitors.
SRA warns firms and solicitors: co-operate or else
The Solicitors Regulation Authority sent out a strong message yesterday that firms which fail to co-operate with it will face tough action. It also emerged that the SRA is set to share details of the risks it considers law firms face with their COLPs and COFAs.
Exclusive: first look at QualitySolicitors’ attack ads on ‘faceless’ legal advice
QualitySolicitors this week launches its public attack on ‘faceless’ legal advice provided by new entrants to the legal market and national law firms, with a series of posters across 1,000 billboard and poster sites.
New ABSs target high net-worth individuals and Yorkshire high street
A Mayfair-based private client firm that has close links to a wealth manager and a personal injury practice that is diversifying into other areas of law have become the first new alternative business structures in nearly a month.
Susskind lays out blueprint for education and training reform
The Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) should recruit a high-powered team of young lawyers to vet its proposals and provide fresh insights into the future of the legal marketplace, Professor Richard Susskind has urged.
