*/
The Legal Services Board has approved the Bar Standards Board’s application to license alternative business structures (ABS).
The decision came 11 months after the application was submitted. The BSB intends to begin its ABS application process from October 2016, but that cannot happen until the designation has been approved by the Lord Chancellor and the necessary legislation put in place.
BSB-licensed ABSs will allow lawyers and non-lawyers jointly to own and manage businesses that provide reserved legal activities.
The BSB intends to license advocacy-focused ABSs whose activities are broadly similar to those of self-employed barristers.
Welcoming the announcement, BSB director of supervision, Oliver Hanmer, said: ‘It is testament to our desire to encourage innovation and competition and to improve access to justice within the legal services market.’
The Legal Services Board has approved the Bar Standards Board’s application to license alternative business structures (ABS).
The decision came 11 months after the application was submitted. The BSB intends to begin its ABS application process from October 2016, but that cannot happen until the designation has been approved by the Lord Chancellor and the necessary legislation put in place.
BSB-licensed ABSs will allow lawyers and non-lawyers jointly to own and manage businesses that provide reserved legal activities.
The BSB intends to license advocacy-focused ABSs whose activities are broadly similar to those of self-employed barristers.
Welcoming the announcement, BSB director of supervision, Oliver Hanmer, said: ‘It is testament to our desire to encourage innovation and competition and to improve access to justice within the legal services market.’
Barbara Mills KC, the new Chair of the Bar, outlines some key themes and priorities
A family lawyer has won a £500 donation for her preferred charity, an education centre for women from disadvantaged backgrounds, thanks to drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs’ Giving Back campaign
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
Rachel Davenport breaks down everything you need to know about AlphaBiolabs’ industry-leading laboratory testing services for legal matters
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
What's it like being a legal trainee at the Crown Prosecution Service? Amy describes what drew her to the role, the skills required and a typical day in the life
Barbara Mills KC wants to raise the profile of the family Bar. She also wants to improve wellbeing and enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. She talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon) about her plans for the year ahead
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC identify good value bottles across the price spectrum – from festive fizz to reliable reds
Governments who play fast and loose with the law get into real trouble, says the new Attorney General. The Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC talks to Anthony Inglese CB about what drew this boy from Cardiff to the Bar, bringing the barrister ethos to the front bench, and how he will be measuring success
Mark Neale, Director General of the Bar Standards Board, offers an update on the Equality Rules consultation
