Study finds innovation among lawyers is on increase, with ABS leading the way

The largest ever study of innovation in the legal sector has revealed that lawyers are becoming more innovative when it comes to organising and managing their businesses.

The study, commissioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Legal Services Board (LSB), reviewed the findings of a series of case studies and a survey of 1,500 legal services organisations in England and Wales. Some of the key points that emerged include the following:

• 80% of legal organisations feel that they have a culture and leadership which is open to new ideas.
• 40% of organisations have put in place organisational procedures to support innovation and the development of new ideas.
• Alternative business structures (ABS) are slightly more likely (13%-15%) to introduce new legal services than other types of firms.

Paul Philip, chief executive of the SRA, said: "Innovation drives growth in the legal sector as in any other. Our research shows that law firms and solicitors are capitalising on how the market is opening up by developing new ways to do business and offer more services.  A wider range of services in a competitive market can only be good news for the public."

LSB chief executive Richard Moriarty commented on the news that ABS providers are at the forefront of innovation: "ABS were intended (among other things) to promote innovation and diversity in the provision of legal services. This research suggests that this ambition is in the process of being realised."