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Narrow victory in Scottish law vote for alternative business structures

Published on 8 Apr 2010 under category: legal

Alternative business structures(ABS) will be introduced in Scotland, following a narrow vote by The Law Society of Scotland in favour of the radical shift.

Despite it being the biggest reported turnout in a referendum by the society with 4,466 solicitors present, there was only a 24-vote margin on the decision to adopt the structures.

However, 81 per cent voted in favour of the society being a regulator of the ABS.

Ian Smart, president of the society, said: "There are, I believe, already areas of consensus on some models of ABS but more work still requires to be done to find an overall solution to what is, undoubtedly, one of the most important issues faced by the society in my more than 30 years of professional life.

"Trying to find an agreement will continue to be the number one priority of all of us within the leadership of the society."

ABS has so far proved controversial because it signals the beginning of outsourcing in the legal process, which will see firms have some services delivered by non-legal companies.

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