Tag Results
The two faces of the law
Thursday, 1 September 2011Chrissie 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.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures
Posted in Features, News
Scottish firm plots ABS and backs capital adequacy rules for law firms
Tuesday, 30 August 2011Turcan 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.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, capital adequacy
Posted in Alternative business structures, Market monitor, News
German lawyers call on Americans to join international stand against ABSs
Tuesday, 30 August 2011The 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.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, external investment, multi-disciplinary practice, stock market listing
Posted in Alternative business structures, News
Co-op to extend bank branch pilot in bid to become consumers’ “lawyer of choice”
Friday, 26 August 2011Co-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.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, Co-op
Posted in Alternative business structures, Market monitor, News
World’s first listed law firm steps up interest in entering UK market
Friday, 26 August 2011Australia’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.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, Integrated Legal Holdings, Slater & Gordon
Posted in Market monitor, News
LSB gives green light to barristers joining ABSs
Friday, 26 August 2011The 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.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, bar standards board, LDP, legal disciplinary practice, Legal Services Board
Posted in Alternative business structures, Barristers, News
Legal Pioneers: Parabis – the innovative group eyeing up private equity investment
Monday, 22 August 2011In the second instalment of our new Legal Pioneers series, we profile Parabis, which currently operates as a co-operative of different insurance-related regulated companies. When the Legal Services Act goes lives, however, integration of legal and non-legal functions and external investment are on the horizon.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, external investment, MDP, multi-disciplinary practice, stock market listing
Posted in Features, Market monitor
Launch of ABSs clears major hurdle
Friday, 19 August 2011Would-be alternative business structures unhappy with decisions taken by the Solicitors Regulation Authority will be able to appeal to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, it has been decided, in a significant step towards the introduction of ABSs.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, Legal Services Board, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, Solicitors Regulation Authority
Posted in Alternative business structures, Legal Services Board, News
SRA highlights investor scrutiny as it prepares to start licensing ABSs in “early 2012”
Thursday, 18 August 2011The Solicitors Regulation Authority is unlikely to start licensing alternative business structures (ABSs) until 2012, it has confirmed. The news comes as the authority spelt out the detailed level of information about investors in prospective ABSs that it will expect to see.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, external investment, Legal Services Act, Solicitors Regulation Authority, stock market listing
Posted in Alternative business structures, News
Yorkshire firm partners with Freeserve founder to launch chain of city centre law shops
Wednesday, 17 August 2011A Yorkshire law firm is joining forces with the founder of Freeserve to launch the first of a planned national network of city centre law shops under the brand Legal365, we can reveal. They will form an ABS that could seek external investment.
Tags: ABS, Alternative business structures, Online Legal Services
Posted in Alternative business structures, Market monitor, News