The Future of Legal Services in Scotland:
Alternative Business Structures
Tuesday 17 November 2026 | 08:00 – 10:45
THE SHERATON | EDINBURGH
The Future of Legal Services in Scotland:
The Regulation of LLSP’s or
Alternative Business Structures
The Future of Legal Services in Scotland:
The Regulation of LLSP’s or
Alternative Business Structures
Tuesday 17 November 2026
08:00 – 10:45
THE SHERATON | EDINBURGH
The Business is delighted to welcome Jonathan Ames, the Legal Editor of The Times, to Edinburgh to discuss the implications of Alternative Business Structures (LLSPs) in Scotland. The seminar will be held at the Sheraton Grand on Tuesday 17 November, from 8.00 am to 10.45 am. Jonathan will be joined in discussion by several experts on the subject, including:
Matt Powrie, Head of Legal, August Equity
Brian Inkster, Founder and Chief Executive, Inkster
Martin Darroch, Chief Executive, Harper Macleod
Jonathan Ames, Legal Editor, The Times
Jonathan Ames has already written extensively [see here] on this subject and has insights into ABS’s development in England and Wales. In Scotland, there are fears that, without the ability to create Alternative Business Structures (LLSPs), legal firms will not be able to compete nationally or build multi-disciplinary firms to meet the challenges of AI.
In 2025, August Equity backed Higgs LLP’s acquisition of Vialex Limited and its specialist employment law arm, Navigator Employment Law Limited, Navigator Employment Law Limited establishing a base in Scotland for Higgs LLP. Hear from panellist Matt Powrie, Head of Legal at August Equity.
The Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010 first allowed non-solicitors to buy shares in law firms. This was through the formation of Licensed Legal Service Providers (LLSP) in Scotland. These are commonly referred to as Alternative Business Structures (ABS). The ABS Scotland Group was launched on 24 November 2025.
The group was born out of frustration with the Law Society of Scotland’s delays in implementing ABS (LLSPs) in Scotland. The Law Society of Scotland is now drafting its proposal, and The Business sees this session as an opportunity to contribute to the discussion.
Why This Matters and Who Should Attend
This subject goes beyond the legal profession and interests potential investors, as well as consultants and advisers working with the legal profession.
Legal firms increasingly need specialist advisers who are not legally authorised as lawyers, yet their expertise is vital as the world embraces machine-based learning, cyber risk, and regulatory change.
This session is expected to produce a full report for submission to the Law Society of Scotland for consideration in January 2027.
ABS
The discussion of alternative business structures (ABS), or LLSPs, is now front and centre in Scotland’s legal minds. Private equity investment in law firms has been normalised in England and Wales, while in Scotland regulation restricts Scottish firms. Although the sector in Scotland has performed strongly this year, Scottish legal firms have been outpaced by their English contemporaries.
The 2025 Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act (RLS) reduced the stake solicitors or other specified regulated professionals must hold in LLSPs from 51% to zero. In September, the Law Society’s regulatory committee announced it would return to ABS in 2026/27.
Background notes:
Private equity and Scotland’s legal sector: What next? Shepherd and Wedderburn examines the delayed introduction of Licensed Legal Service Providers (LLSPs), the barriers to external investment and the implications for Scottish firms competing nationally. [Read more]
ABS reform: Opportunity or threat to Scotland’s legal profession? The Law Society of Scotland explores the debate surrounding alternative business structures, ownership reform and the future of Scottish legal services. [Read more]
Scaling professional services with PE: In 2025, August Equity backed Higgs LLP’s acquisition of Vialex Limited and its specialist employment law arm Navigator Employment Law Limited establishing a base in Scotland for Higgs LLP.
Six reasons Scotland needs ABS reform: Brian Inkster sets out the ABS Scotland Group’s case for reform, from investment and succession planning to innovation, consumer choice and competitive parity with England and Wales. The benefits are recognition for non-lawyer employees, succession, access to investment for growth and innovation, diversity, consumer benefits, and parity with England and Wales. [Read more]
Expert Panel
Jonathan, esteemed legal editor of The Times, has already written extensively on this subject and has insights into ABS’s development in England and Wales. There are fears in Scotland that, without ABS, legal firms will not be able to compete nationally or build multi-disciplinary firms to meet the challenges of AI.
Matt joined August Equity in 2025 to lead its in-house legal function. With over a decade of experience, he advises institutional investors, corporates and management teams on UK and international M&A transactions, supporting portfolio companies throughout their private equity journeys. Matt will provide an investor insight into being instrumental in finding the funding.
Brian, founder of Inksters Solicitors and committee member of the ABS Scotland Group, advocates reform of Scotland’s legal services regulation. He campaigns for alternative business structures, improved access to external investment and greater competitive opportunities for smaller Scottish law firms. Brian will offer insights into the delayed ABS reforms and the implications of LLSPs in Scotland.
Martin Darroch is chief executive of Harper Macleod, one of Scotland’s leading law firms. A chartered accountant with a corporate finance background, he joined the firm as finance director in 2002, becoming Scotland’s first non-lawyer law firm chief executive in 2006. Martin will provide a Scottish perspective on a call for action.
Stephen Ward, Co-founder and Business Development Director, Barrister Group
Stephen Ward, Co-founder and Business Development Director, The Barrister Group
Stephen Ward is the co-founder and business development director at The Barrister Group, one of the UK’s most innovative, tech-driven barrister chambers. With over 40 years in the legal industry, Stephen quickly rose to senior clerk and in 2001, he helped launch a new type of barristers’ chambers combining entrepreneurial spirit with technology. LDC, the investment arm of Lloyds Banking Group invested in The Barrister Group in May 2023.
Format
08:00 – 08:45 Breakfast & Networking
08:45 – 08:50 Kenny Kemp, Welcome, Editor of The Business
08:50 – 09:10 Jonathan Ames, Introduction, Legal Editor, The Times
09:15 – 10:45 Panel discussion on the vital implications of Alternative Business (LLSPs) in Scotland
