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Law conversion course

02 May 2019 / Michael Burne
Issue: 7838 / Categories: Features , Profession , Legal services
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What are the benefits of the alternative business structure, & is it right for you? Michael Burne provides a rundown of the ABS route

  •  Substance or form—if you’re not an ABS already, should you convert?

It’s been a while since I have been surprised on Valentine’s Day. But that was the date on which the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) confirmed the conversion of our authorised body law firm to an alternative business structure (ABS). As a so called ‘next generation’ law firm, it begs the question: why now? Many assumed we already were an ABS law firm and were surprised to find this wasn’t the case. When we started our firm, ABS was new, the SRA was developing its process and resourcing, and we didn’t need to be one. So we kept it simple and started as a limited company authorised body. That structure has served us well, but as our business strategy, formed in 2014, was executed, we knew that a change would be needed.

Why now?

So why now? Tom Cruise

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NEWS
One in five in-house lawyers suffer ‘high’ or ‘severe’ work-related stress, according to a report by global legal body, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
The Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO’s) plea for a budget increase has been rejected by the Law Society and accepted only ‘with reluctance’ by conveyancers
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
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