The beginning of the end for Tesco Law?

The implications of the Clementi Report into legal services have worried lawyers for some time, particularly in regard to the proposals to open up the legal marketplace to alternative business providers such as multi-disciplinary partnerships. Whether lawyers are resisting greater competition or genuinely fear for independent advice and standards depends on whom you talk to.

In any event, today’s story in the Times has the Scottish Law Society backing down on such plans. However, in England and Wales, ABSs will be permitted from next year. As Michael Scutt’s excellent presentation shows, this is an opportunity for existing firms, in that it will make new investment easier to attract, whilst also bringing the threat of increased competition with it. Michael’s blog on “Tesco Law” is also well worth a look. He points out that Barristers will be able to join Legal Disciplinary Practices in the near future, perhaps with ABSs to follow - and asks if this could be the beginning of the end for the Bar.

An interesting area for your top students to be aware of in terms of career prospects for lawyers, which cold be mentioned as part of an exam essay on the training process - does it make the profession a less attractive bet?

The Legal Services Act 2007 also impacts greatly on complaints handling - another examinable area for students about which I will post shortly!

For further reading on the “Big Bang” generally, have a look at this report.