Attitudes to ABS

Fewer than one in 10 solicitors think the Legal Services Act will improve clients’ ability to access high-quality conveyancing services, according to a national survey of law firms by property search provider SearchFlow. However, more than half of firms would consider becoming an alternative business structure (ABS) or are still undecided.

Firms in the north-west are most likely to consider becoming an ABS (43%) while central London firms are least likely to consider it (80% said no). More London firms than the national average (23% compared with 15%) are beefing up their marketing spend ahead of the anticipated increase in competition. Overall, 12% of firms are planning to change their practice areas while one in 10 expect to begin to offer fixed fees.