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The Law Society will next month begin sharing information about conveyancing solicitors with a lender as part of moves to discourage lenders from charging a compliance fee for firms that want to be on their panels. Meanwhile, standard mortgage instructions for solicitors acting just for lenders should be released in early 2012.

Arlene Adams, managing director and co-founder of Peppermint Technology, argues that many law firms wrongly mistake technology with commoditisation and that they need to use IT to follow the example of new entrants to the market, which will not seek to re-create what already exists but instead employ technology to streamline the legal process.

The latest national marketing organisation for solicitors could be an attractive takeover target for a big brand looking to enter the legal market, its founder has admitted. Lawyers2you, the consumer-facing brand of Birmingham law firm Blakemores, is being rolled out nationally.

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.

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.