The ABS Scotland Group was born out of frustration with the Law Society of Scotland’s delays in implementing Alternative Business Structures (or Licensed Legal Service Providers) in Scotland.
By 2025, there had already been a 15-year delay in implementation following on from the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. There was hope that the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 would speed the process up. However, instead, the Law Society of Scotland announced a freeze of at least another two years on doing anything at all on ABS.
Formation
A number of Scottish law firms and other organisations or individuals with an interest in ABS in Scotland, whether as possible market entrants, funders, strategic advisers or others, met in September 2025 to form the ABS Scotland Group, which launched officially on 24 November 2025.
Objective
The main objective of the Group is to encourage and facilitate the introduction of ABS to Scotland.
The Group’s desire is to work with the Law Society of Scotland, if possible, to achieve, sooner rather than later, ABS in Scotland.
Benefits
The benefits of ABS are:
- Recognition for Non-Lawyer Employees
- Succession
- Access to Investment for Growth and Innovation
- Diversity
- Consumer Benefits
- Parity with England & Wales
Committee
The Committee of the Group consists of Marie Macdonald (secretary) – Miller Samuel Hill Brown, Brian Inkster – Inksters, and Rob Aberdein – Simpson & Marwick.
Membership
Membership of the Group is open to anyone or any organisation that has an interest in the objects of the Group. There are three classes of membership:
- Ordinary Members: Law Firms (including sole practitioners) or Licensed Legal Service Providers regulated by the Law Society of Scotland (membership fee: £200 per annum).
- Associate Members: Organisations or individuals with an interest in ABS in Scotland, whether as possible market entrants, funders, strategic advisers or others (membership fee: £100 per annum).
- Supporter Members: Anyone who does not qualify for Ordinary Membership or does not wish to be an Associate Member but wishes to support ABS in Scotland (no membership fee).
Join
The main reason given by the Law Society of Scotland for putting ABS on hold for another two years was “limited interest” expressed by their members. However, they never asked their members. By joining the ABS Scotland Group, you can demonstrate that this is untrue and that there is in fact significant interest in ABS in Scotland.
You can join the ABS Scotland Group by completing the membership application form.
Contact
If you want more information about the Group first, you can contact the Secretary using this contact form: