Tag Results
Foundations of ABS, CFAs and other key legal regimes under microscope of govt red tape exercise
Friday, 1 June 2012Many of the regulations underpinning the regulatory regime for legal services – including those designating the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Council for Licensed Conveyancers as ABS licensing authorities – are under the microscope as part of the government’s Red Tape Challenge, it has emerged.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, CFA, Legal Services Act, Legal Services Board, pro bono
Posted in Alternative business structures, Latest news, Legal Services Act, Regulation
Biggest debt recovery firm eyes acquisitions and is “open” to external investment
Friday, 1 June 2012The country’s largest specialist debt law firm – which went live a few weeks ago – is on the acquisition trail and is also open to the idea of outside investment, its chief executive has revealed. Drydensfairfax is exactly the kind of firms investors are said to be keen on.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, external investment
Posted in Latest news, Legal Services Act, Market monitor
The buy-out of UK legal services – a private equity gold rush?
Tuesday, 29 May 2012Alternative business structure, ABS. It is hardly a snappy name. It means nothing to the general public. It doesn’t mean much more to the business community. But, for private equity firms, it’s a chink of light – a way in to a £25bn market. So, is this a gold rush? Are we likely to see high levels of PE activity? Nick West, director of legal markets at Legal Futures Associate LexisNexis considers the possibilities.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, private equity, Slater & Gordon, stock market listing
Posted in Blog
Pioneer calls on will-writers to become ABSs and level playing field with solicitors
Tuesday, 29 May 2012The first will-writer to be granted an alternative business structure (ABS) licence says she hopes others will follow suit so as to “level the playing field” with solicitors. Parchment Law Group became the seventh ABS last Friday.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, continuing professional development, CPD, Legal Services Consumer Panel, reserved legal activities, Solicitors Regulation Authority
Posted in Alternative business structures, Latest news, Market monitor
News in brief: COLP/COFA advice service launched, referral fee offensive, and much more
Tuesday, 29 May 2012Our latest round-up of key news snippets sees the ex-chief of the CLC launch a consultancy, a new COLP and COFA helpline, a campaign against personal injury “auctions”, Lawyers on Demand goes it alone, a run-off cover boost for retiring solicitors, and a rethink on financial services ABSs.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, COFA, COLP, compliance officer for finance and administration, compliance officer for legal practice, financial services, Financial Services Authority, personal injury, professional indemnity insurance, referral fees
Posted in Latest news, News In Brief
18 solicitors sanctioned for money laundering breaches as Treasury warned over increased risks from ABSs
Monday, 28 May 2012Eighteen solicitors were sanctioned by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal last year for breaches of anti-money laundering obligations, the Law Society has reported. It has also identified alternative business structures as among the increased risks of money laundering facing the profession.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, anti-money laundering, Law Society, money laundering, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, Solicitors Regulation Authority
Posted in Alternative business structures, Latest news, Solicitors
Will-writers receive ABS licence
Friday, 25 May 2012A Buckinghamshire-based will-writing company has today become the latest recipient of an alternative business structure licence. Parchment Wills & Legal Services Ltd of Gerrards Cross is a founder member of the Institute of Professional Willwriters.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, Institute of Professional Will-writers
Posted in Alternative business structures, Latest news, Market monitor
Revealed: niche property firm becomes newest ABS
Friday, 25 May 2012A niche property law firm in Oxfordshire has become the sixth alternative business structure to be licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Its senior partner said becoming an ABS gives the firm “additional flexibility in terms of structuring our business”.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, Solicitors Regulation Authority
Posted in Alternative business structures, Latest news, Market monitor
Co-op eyes up conveyancing firm acquisition
Friday, 25 May 2012Co-operative Legal Services may look to acquire a conveyancing practice as it brings property work in-house, it revealed yesterday. The revelation came during a press briefing that laid out the Co-op’s strategy more clearly than ever before.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, Co-op
Posted in Alternative business structures, Latest news, Market monitor
Co-op to recruit 3,000 staff as it bids to dominate consumer legal market
Thursday, 24 May 2012The Co-operative Group has today announced plans to create 3,000 jobs in the legal sector as it laid out its ambitions to create the largest consumer law business in the country. It will also offer face-to-face advice in all 330 of its bank branches.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, Co-op, consumer brands
Posted in Alternative business structures, Latest news, Market monitor