ABS for law firm Aaron & Partners

AARON & Partners, the Cheshire commercial law firm, has been granted alternative business structure (ABS) status by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Aaron & Partners submitted its bid to the SRA in June 2012 and its new status will take effect from Monday January 7 – allowing it to attract external investment, potentially from private equity.  Bolton-based Keoghs last year completed a £20m+ investment deal with LDC  

Aaron & Partners chief executive Andy Duxbury said: “We are very pleased to achieve ABS status, though for now at least, the way we operate will not change.

“However what it will do is put us in a position where we can react quickly and be flexible in seizing opportunities to be even more dynamic and client-focused as an organisation.”

Based in Chester Aaron & Partners has 100 staff. In 1990 it became the first law firm to appoint a non-lawyer chief executive.

Mr Duxbury, who became a partner in 2011, said the business is performing extremely well, adding: “As we grow the practice further and continue to invest, our ABS status will be an important part of our profile.”