ABS announcements continue: SRA approves ABS licences for Saga and The AA
updated on 15 November 2013
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has approved alternative business structure (ABS) licences for the AA and over-50s specialist Saga. The firms, both owned by the same private equity company, announced their respective ventures earlier this month.
As reported by Legal Futures, Saga originally entered the legal market in 2010 with online legal documents and fixed-fee writing. Its expansion through an ABS licence will see the firm launch a joint venture with Parabis Law. Roger Ramsden, chief executive of Saga Services, commented that accessing legal services through a well-known brand "seems to resonate with the over-50s". He added that the approach of Saga Law was to create "a legal service with the customers in mind, not the convenience of lawyers".
Those following the developments in the ABS market should also take note of the AA's arrival; the firm will trade as AA Law from 1 December as a joint venture with Lyons Davidson. The firm will initially focus on personal injury and other litigation associated with car accidents. Janet Pell, head of AA Law, said that the venture "is a natural fit for the AA, its legal helpline and its motor legal expenses policy, which is already supported by Lyons Davidson… It will enable us to protect our customers from excessive legal costs."
