With the inauguration of a new business structure that took place on Tuesday, it will now be possible to have a “one stop shop” for the provision of legal services. This marks a historical moment in Ireland wherein barristers can form partnerships with solicitors to deliver legal services, something previously only possible among solicitors themselves.
Helen McEntee, the Minister for Justice, hailed the introduction of these legal partnerships as a significant stride in their continued endeavour to update and diversify Ireland’s legal services sector. She explained that such partnerships not only facilitate the expansion of the legal services sector, but also enhance the array of professional opportunities available for lawyers.
In addition, this innovative business model presents possibilities for more flexible and cost-efficient services, thereby reducing the burden on those seeking legal advice, knowledge or representation. The Minister expressed that these partnerships represent “a further step towards our aspiration of making access to justice affordable, speedy and more competent.”
A study conducted by Ipsos B&A for the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA), which included 213 senior legal practitioners, revealed a 60% support for this new business structure. Furthermore, 20% indicated that their law firm might evolve into a solicitor-barrister partnership within the subsequent five years.
The foremost reasons for the favourable view of the solicitor-barrister legal partnerships were increased liability protection and enhanced cooperation between the solicitors and barristers. 46% believe that such partnerships will positively impact the provision of legal services while 39% envisage it to be beneficial for the consumers.
Potential benefits are predicted to stretch across all areas of law. However, the areas projected to benefit the most include litigation/dispute resolution (62%) and environmental/planning law (61%). Offering specialised services and enhancing the efficiency levels by merging expertise are seen as the topmost advantages of evolving into a solicitor-barrister legal partnership.
Dr Brian Doherty, the chief executive of LSRA, stated that these cooperations would aid in the modernisation of offering legal services, thus bearing fruits for both the legal professionals and their clients. The opportunity for a pair or more barristers to function in partnership form will nurture wider employment prospects, and foster career progression within the industry. This complements the already existing self-employed or employment models, he added.
Recent studies conducted by the LSRA have highlighted the hurdles early career barristers and solicitors encounter, revealing a keen interest particularly among younger barristers for innovative business models, explained Dr Doherty. The management and functioning of such legal partnerships are guided by legislature in the form of the Legal Services Regulation Act.
He mentioned that every legal partnership must include at least one practising barrister enlisted on the roll of practising barristers, and legal partnerships can also be formed by solicitors provided they have valid practising certification.