Big brands set to roll out 24-hour legal advice service for £60 a year
A host of major businesses are being lined up to offer a new service providing consumers with help to handle a wide range of legal matters for an annual subscription of £59.99, we can reveal. CPP recently launched ‘Your Law’ and is to roll it out to high-profile business partners.
The two faces of the law
Chrissie Lightfoot argues that the two dominant umbrella business models coming to the fore in legal services can be summed up as “Face to Face” and “Interface”. She says the emergence of a legal franchising model such as face2face solicitors offers a real opportunity for entrepreneurial lawyers to embrace both.
Law Society mulls equal pay audits for firms as it prepares flexible working push
The Law Society could encourage firms to undertake annual pay audits as a way to combat inequality in the solicitors’ profession, we can reveal. It comes as Chancery Lane prepares to publish a flexible working protocol to help law firms embrace the concept.
“Despondent” Bar could become enclave of the better-off once more, warns Lodder
Criminal law barristers have reached a new low of despondency, the chairman of the Bar Council has told Lord Chancellor Ken Clarke. Peter Lodder QC warned that the government’s legal aid cuts could also see the Bar return to “a professional enclave for the better-off” as students are discouraged by mounting debts.
Scottish firm plots ABS and backs capital adequacy rules for law firms
Turcan Connell has signalled its intention to become one of the first alternative business structures in Scotland, while its joint senior partner has called for law firms to be subject to capital adequacy requirements. Douglas Connell said the introduction of ABSs provides a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for lawyers.
German lawyers call on Americans to join international stand against ABSs
The German Bar has called on its American counterpart to form an international coalition against alternative business structures. The news comes as the American Bar Association prepares to publish a proposed rule change that would allow minority non-lawyer ownership of law firms, with the New York courts set to rule on the issue too.
Co-op to extend bank branch pilot in bid to become consumers’ “lawyer of choice”
Co-operative Legal Services is planning a more extensive pilot of face-to-face advice in its bank branches later this year as it bids to become consumers’ “lawyer of choice”, the company has confirmed. The Co-op has also merged its legal and funeral businesses.
World’s first listed law firm steps up interest in entering UK market
Australia’s Slater & Gordon, the world’s first publicly listed law firm, is “more seriously” evaluating the opportunities available in the UK, the company has revealed. The news comes as S&G and Integrated Legal Holdings – the only other listed legal practice, also in Australia – both announced strong results.
LSB gives green light to barristers joining ABSs
The Legal Services Board has approved changes to the Bar Code of Conduct that will allow barristers to become partners and employees of alternative business structures. The bar’s rulebook as currently drafted would prevents barristers from working for an ABS.
Exclusive: “Biggest legal brand in US” eyes UK market entry in 2012
Pioneering US legal services business LegalZoom is planning to launch in the UK next year, Legal Futures can reveal. Senior management are in the UK this week to view possible headquarters for the operation, which has been described as the most recognised legal brand in America.
