*/
At a time when reliance on physical office space is perhaps becoming less of a requirement, how does a barristers chambers retain the space it occupies, stay relevant, decrease expenditure, and increase income for its service company and members? It might sound like a tall order, but this is exactly the question Cornwall Street Barristers, like many other sets, had been mulling over for a number of years.
Last year, James Farmer, the Chambers Director of Cornwall Street Barristers and Andrew Beedham, an ex-Equity Partner of a national law firm and owner Director of BrightPoint Legal, saw and seized the opportunity provided by the change in Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) rules. These rule changes allow solicitors to now offer unreserved legal activities as independent solicitors. Seeing the opportunity to provide an environment with office support for individuals looking to take advantage of the new regulations, the pair created Forte Independent Solicitors.
Freelance, or independent solicitors are self-employed solicitors who practise on their own and do not employ anyone else in connection with the services they provide; practise in their own name, rather than through a trading name or through a service company; and are engaged directly by clients with fees payable directly to them. The new regulations enable them to work in much the same way as barristers can in this regard.
The SRA talked about such solicitors joining forces in a chambers-style arrangement in its guidance, but James Farmer is keen to stress that Forte doesn’t go as far as that. Rather, it is a service company that gives independent solicitors a base from which to work and provides a wide range of back office services, from desk space in the building shared with Cornwall Street Barristers, an online case management system, IT support and library resources, to help with securing professional indemnity insurance, credit control and marketing facilities. The set-up allows solicitors greater freedom, a better work/life balance and control over their practice.
Forte is able to support solicitors who want to provide reserved legal activities, although freelancers are experiencing some difficulty in securing insurance for reserved legal activities. Forte is therefore also able to accommodate those who want to provide reserved legal activities as registered sole practitioners instead.
Many sets find themselves in the position of rethinking their space in light of the impact COVID-19 has placed on them financially and operationally. Those at Cornwall Street feel they were on the front foot; looking for ways to reduce their expenditure and better utilise the underused space in their building is something they have been looking at for the past couple of years. The association with Forte enables them to pool resources and reduce expenditure while also allowing them to share their building with like-minded professionals.
Forte is keen to attract those solicitors at partner or senior level who are currently rethinking the way they deliver services to their clients and interest has been growing since they launched. It is currently in talks with a number of solicitors who, because they simply want a change or because of the impact COVID-19 has had on their practice, are interested in joining Forte.
It is also keen to open discussions with other sets across the country to see how the model could be replicated to support them as they navigate the tricky waters of COVID-19.
To find out more, please contact Cornwall Street Barristers’ Chambers Director James Farmer on 0121 233 7566 or 07384 463028 or j.farmer@cornwallstreet.co.uk
At a time when reliance on physical office space is perhaps becoming less of a requirement, how does a barristers chambers retain the space it occupies, stay relevant, decrease expenditure, and increase income for its service company and members? It might sound like a tall order, but this is exactly the question Cornwall Street Barristers, like many other sets, had been mulling over for a number of years.
Last year, James Farmer, the Chambers Director of Cornwall Street Barristers and Andrew Beedham, an ex-Equity Partner of a national law firm and owner Director of BrightPoint Legal, saw and seized the opportunity provided by the change in Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) rules. These rule changes allow solicitors to now offer unreserved legal activities as independent solicitors. Seeing the opportunity to provide an environment with office support for individuals looking to take advantage of the new regulations, the pair created Forte Independent Solicitors.
Freelance, or independent solicitors are self-employed solicitors who practise on their own and do not employ anyone else in connection with the services they provide; practise in their own name, rather than through a trading name or through a service company; and are engaged directly by clients with fees payable directly to them. The new regulations enable them to work in much the same way as barristers can in this regard.
The SRA talked about such solicitors joining forces in a chambers-style arrangement in its guidance, but James Farmer is keen to stress that Forte doesn’t go as far as that. Rather, it is a service company that gives independent solicitors a base from which to work and provides a wide range of back office services, from desk space in the building shared with Cornwall Street Barristers, an online case management system, IT support and library resources, to help with securing professional indemnity insurance, credit control and marketing facilities. The set-up allows solicitors greater freedom, a better work/life balance and control over their practice.
Forte is able to support solicitors who want to provide reserved legal activities, although freelancers are experiencing some difficulty in securing insurance for reserved legal activities. Forte is therefore also able to accommodate those who want to provide reserved legal activities as registered sole practitioners instead.
Many sets find themselves in the position of rethinking their space in light of the impact COVID-19 has placed on them financially and operationally. Those at Cornwall Street feel they were on the front foot; looking for ways to reduce their expenditure and better utilise the underused space in their building is something they have been looking at for the past couple of years. The association with Forte enables them to pool resources and reduce expenditure while also allowing them to share their building with like-minded professionals.
Forte is keen to attract those solicitors at partner or senior level who are currently rethinking the way they deliver services to their clients and interest has been growing since they launched. It is currently in talks with a number of solicitors who, because they simply want a change or because of the impact COVID-19 has had on their practice, are interested in joining Forte.
It is also keen to open discussions with other sets across the country to see how the model could be replicated to support them as they navigate the tricky waters of COVID-19.
To find out more, please contact Cornwall Street Barristers’ Chambers Director James Farmer on 0121 233 7566 or 07384 463028 or j.farmer@cornwallstreet.co.uk
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
Creating advocacy opportunities for juniors is now the expectation but not always easy to put into effect. Tom Mitcheson KC distils developing best practice from the Patents Court initiative already bearing fruit
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
National courts are now running the bulk of the world’s war crimes cases and corporate prosecutions are part of this growing trend, reports Chris Stephen
