Menu
07/10/2011
Legal Sector Gets Supermarket Style Marketing
The UK's Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly has said it was a 'landmark day' for the legal industry today as new business structures were launched - opening up the legal services market for lawyers and non-lawyers for the first time.
Alternative Business Structures (ABS) are firms which are partly or fully owned or controlled by non-lawyers to provide legal services, or a mixture of legal and non-legal services.
High street shops, supermarkets and internet firms for example, will be able to sell consumer legal services in England and Wales for the first time alongside their other products.
This opening up of the legal services market for lawyers and non-lawyers to work together is expected to lead to greater competition, consumer choice and business opportunities.
Mr Djanogly said: "This is a landmark day for the UK legal industry.
"This will enable firms to set up multi-disciplinary practices and provide opportunities for growth.
"Potential customers will find legal services become more accessible, more efficient and more competitive," he said.
The new business structures are backed by a far-reaching complaints and regulation system so that consumers can be confident of the quality of service provided by lawyers working in these new kinds of law firms.
The Legal Services Board will oversee the regulation of firms and the Legal Ombudsman provides a complaints service with robust protections in place for consumers.
(BMcC/CD)
Alternative Business Structures (ABS) are firms which are partly or fully owned or controlled by non-lawyers to provide legal services, or a mixture of legal and non-legal services.
High street shops, supermarkets and internet firms for example, will be able to sell consumer legal services in England and Wales for the first time alongside their other products.
This opening up of the legal services market for lawyers and non-lawyers to work together is expected to lead to greater competition, consumer choice and business opportunities.
Mr Djanogly said: "This is a landmark day for the UK legal industry.
"This will enable firms to set up multi-disciplinary practices and provide opportunities for growth.
"Potential customers will find legal services become more accessible, more efficient and more competitive," he said.
The new business structures are backed by a far-reaching complaints and regulation system so that consumers can be confident of the quality of service provided by lawyers working in these new kinds of law firms.
The Legal Services Board will oversee the regulation of firms and the Legal Ombudsman provides a complaints service with robust protections in place for consumers.
(BMcC/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 January 2011
Queen 'Won't Loose Her Head' Over Stamps
The Government has confirmed that it will include an extra safeguard in its Postal Services Bill. The move will ensure that the Queen's head remains on UK stamps regardless of who owns the company in the future.
Queen 'Won't Loose Her Head' Over Stamps
The Government has confirmed that it will include an extra safeguard in its Postal Services Bill. The move will ensure that the Queen's head remains on UK stamps regardless of who owns the company in the future.
25 March 2009
Boosting Public Confidence In Legal Regulation
Confidence for consumers of legal services is the aim behind the Legal Services Board (LSB)'s consultation on regulatory independence, published today. The separation of regulation from representation was a key plank of the reforms made possible by the Legal Services Act 2007.
Boosting Public Confidence In Legal Regulation
Confidence for consumers of legal services is the aim behind the Legal Services Board (LSB)'s consultation on regulatory independence, published today. The separation of regulation from representation was a key plank of the reforms made possible by the Legal Services Act 2007.
22 November 2004
Private sector input will save NHS millions, claims Minister
More than £220 million could be slashed off the NHS' costs bill through a new private sector partnership announced today. The health department has said that the savings will be made over 10 years by getting more NHS Trusts to use centralised service centres to carry out back office work.
Private sector input will save NHS millions, claims Minister
More than £220 million could be slashed off the NHS' costs bill through a new private sector partnership announced today. The health department has said that the savings will be made over 10 years by getting more NHS Trusts to use centralised service centres to carry out back office work.
24 May 2012
Co-op Announces New Legal Services And Creation Of 3,000 Jobs
The Co-operative Group has announced plans to create up to 3,000 jobs in an expansion of its legal services. The Manchester-based firm has said it intends to open five regional hubs across England in the next five years. Mostly legal staff will fill positions, but other roles in IT, HR and legal support, are also expected.
Co-op Announces New Legal Services And Creation Of 3,000 Jobs
The Co-operative Group has announced plans to create up to 3,000 jobs in an expansion of its legal services. The Manchester-based firm has said it intends to open five regional hubs across England in the next five years. Mostly legal staff will fill positions, but other roles in IT, HR and legal support, are also expected.
15 March 2011
'Ivory Wave' May Be New Legal High After 'Miaow Miaow' Ban
A new legal high has emerged that seems to be replacing the banned substance mephedrone or “miaow miaow”, warns a critical care paramedic in Emergency Medicine Journal. Mephedrone was banned in England, when it was reclassified as a class B drug in April 2010.
'Ivory Wave' May Be New Legal High After 'Miaow Miaow' Ban
A new legal high has emerged that seems to be replacing the banned substance mephedrone or “miaow miaow”, warns a critical care paramedic in Emergency Medicine Journal. Mephedrone was banned in England, when it was reclassified as a class B drug in April 2010.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mostly dry south and east, patchy light rain west and north through much of the day. A band of heavier rain crosses central and northern parts in the morning Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry in the southeast at first otherwise widespread light rain or drizzle for most, turning to clear spells and a few showers towards morning. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
