Traditionally, lawyers have worked within rigid structures, often tied to large firms with fixed salaries, high overheads, and hierarchical career paths. However, an increasing number of legal professionals are now opting for a more flexible approach – joining consultancy-led firms that offer autonomy, financial incentives, and a better work-life balance.

The benefits of being a consultant include:

• Greater flexibility and work-life balance: Firms with a consultancy element enable lawyers to choose their own working hours and caseloads.
• Higher earning potential: Since consultants work on a fee-sharing basis rather than a fixed salary, they can often earn significantly more than they would in a traditional firm.
• Reduced administrative burden: Consultants benefit from the firm’s infrastructure. This allows them to focus on the law rather than dealing with operational overheads.
• Opportunity to build a personal brand: Consultants can develop their client base and professional reputation. This gives them more control over their career trajectory.
• Access to a support network: Although consultants work independently, they remain part of a broader legal network, gaining access to peer support, training, and professional development opportunities.
• No office politics or traditional hierarchy: Consultancy-led models let lawyers focus on their work without the pressures of office dynamics.
• Business growth without the overheads: Entrepreneurial lawyers can grow their client base without the financial burden of running their own firm.

As of mid-2024, over 4,000 lawyers in England and Wales were operating under the fee-sharing model. Estimates suggest that by 2026, this could increase to one-third of UK lawyers.

However, this model – which typically sees consultant lawyers bill clients for work and provide the firm with a proportion of the fees in return for administrative support – presents unique challenges when it comes to maintaining robust compliance structures.

Challenges include:

• Lack of oversight: Ensuring all legal processes are uniformly followed can be difficult, increasing the likelihood of critical details being overlooked.
• Remote working dynamics: The physical separation of consultants can lead to inconsistent adherence to firm-wide policies and procedures, potentially compromising the quality of service.
• Diverse working practices: Self-employed lawyers may have varying approaches to legal practice, making it challenging to maintain a cohesive standard across the firm.

These factors can culminate in a compliance and risk management conundrum, where the firm’s reputation and operational integrity are at stake.

Amity and Legal Eye working together to strengthen compliance

Recognising these challenges, Amity Law has partnered with Legal Eye to fortify its compliance framework, opting for a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the unique needs of consultancy-led firms.

Amity recently gained the Legal Eye Quality Accreditation which recognises best practice in risk and compliance.

Legal Eye were thrilled to be selected to support Amity and offer:

• Policy development and updates: Legal Eye helps craft and update policies that reflect current regulations and best practices, ensuring all consultants operate under a unified and compliant framework.
• Proactive compliance audits: Regular audits are conducted to assess adherence to legal standards and internal policies. This proactive approach helps identify and rectify potential issues before they escalate.
• Training and development: Through the Legal Eye Academy, consultants can access online training modules they can complete at their convenience. This flexibility ensures continuous professional development without disrupting fee-earner schedules.
• Regular updates and communication: Continuous communication ensures that consultants are aware of any changes in regulations or internal policies, promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.
• Ongoing reassessment and certification of the Legal Eye Quality Standard

The importance of a direct and consultative approach

For firms such as Amity Law, ensuring consistent compliance across a network of self-employed lawyers requires more than just policies and procedures – it demands a proactive, hands-on approach. This is where Legal Eye becomes integral to Amity Law’s operations.

By working closely with the firm and its consultants, Legal Eye reinforces Amity’s ethos that compliance is not just a box-ticking exercise but a deeply ingrained part of the firm’s culture. Consultants receive tailored guidance, real-time regulatory updates, and access to expert-led training programs, all designed to fit seamlessly into their flexible working arrangements. This ensures every consultant, regardless of location or workload, remains fully informed about best practices and legal obligations.

Ultimately, Legal Eye supports Amity Law in maintaining the perfect balance – offering consultants the freedom and autonomy of self-employment while ensuring they operate within a robust, structured, and fully compliant framework.

This approach not only safeguards the firm’s reputation but also enhances its competitive advantage in the consultancy-led legal market. For example, bolstered by Legal Eye’s robust compliance support, Amity Law is able to provide full Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) coverage for its consultants – a benefit not commonly offered by its competitors.

A partnership that sets the standard

This partnership showcases the benefit of having a key strategic compliance partner to help strengthen your law firm, for both staff and clients.

With full PII coverage and best-in-class compliance support, Amity Law offers a compelling proposition for legal professionals seeking the benefits of consultancy without the risk of going it alone.