NLS pipped to the post by The University of Law in securing an ABS licence

The University of Law is the first university to be granted an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The announcement was made just weeks after Nottingham Law School (NLS) confirmed it had applied for the licence in a bid to become a "teaching law firm". Following its newly acquired ABS status, The University of Law will expand its Legal Advice Clinic – based at the London Bloomsbury centre - where trainee solicitors provide advice on social welfare law on a pro bono basis. For trainees unable to complete the required dispute resolution experience with their own firms, the clinic provides an invaluable opportunity to complete their training via the Trainee Litigation Programme.

John Latham, president and chief executive at The University of Law, said: "Being the first university to be granted an ABS status means that we can provide trainees and our law firm and in-house clients with a market-leading proposition that will equip the trainees for the legal and commercial challenges they will face in today’s workplace."

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