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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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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Partner joins family law team inLondon

Jackson Lees Group—five promotions

Jackson Lees Group—five promotions

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Taylor Wessing—Max Millington

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Banking and finance team welcomes partner in London

NEWS
The landmark Supreme Court’s decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd—along with Rukhadze v Recovery Partners—redefine fiduciary duties in commercial fraud. Writing in NLJ this week, Mary Young of Kingsley Napley analyses the implications of the rulings
Barristers Ben Keith of 5 St Andrew’s Hill and Rhys Davies of Temple Garden Chambers use the arrest of Simon Leviev—the so-called Tinder Swindler—to explore the realities of Interpol red notices, in this week's NLJ
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] has upended assumptions about who may conduct litigation, warn Kevin Latham and Fraser Barnstaple of Kings Chambers in this week's NLJ. But is it as catastrophic as first feared?
Lord Sales has been appointed to become the Deputy President of the Supreme Court after Lord Hodge retires at the end of the year
Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are reportedly in the firing line in Chancellor Rachel Reeves upcoming Autumn budget
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