Alternative Business Structures - Land of Opportunity?

October will undoubtedly bring change to the legal services marketplace, but Alternative Businesses Structures can be just as much an opportunity as a threat.

Later this year the time for talking will finally be over. Ever since the publication of the Legal Services Act four years ago, there have been varying predictions on the scale and impact of Alternative Business Structures (ABS).

Some commentators have painted a bleak picture for current providers with the likes of Tesco, ASDA, Virgin and the AA all queuing up to take advantage of deregulation which will allow nonlegals to either own law firms or hold management positions therein.  However, others have suggested a less dramatic impact on the market with a few well-known consumer brands - banks, estate agents and so on - adding legal services to their existing offerings.

Click here for the full article