Keystone Law, the UK’s leading platform law firm, has launched a new service for the profession called Law Firm Support. The offering encourages firms to leverage their existing client relationships by working together and allows them to do so without the risk of losing clients.

With a number of new entrants in the market since the advent of the Legal Services Act many firms feel threatened by the increasing amount of competition in the legal sector. Keystone has been expanding as a firm, both in numbers and new technology, to enable it to be in a position to offer comprehensive services to law firms to support rather than compete for their business.

James Knight, Keystone’s Managing Partner, says:

“It is true that due to the implications of the Legal Services Act firms must adapt and move with the times to meet new competition, but they currently possess both the skill-sets and the client relationships that new entrants lack and there is tremendous strength to be had in numbers.Cooperation between firms in a way that removes the risk of clients being poached will help firms to thrive long into the future.”

For international firms with offices in London, Law Firm Support can provide them with legal expertise in practice areas their London office does not have, such as employment, property and tax.

Law Firm Support offers firms access to Keystone solicitors through three separate services, each one designed to help firms deliver a more comprehensive service, confident that both their clients’ interests and their own concerns are addressed and protected.

These services are:

  • Add-On Service – Law firms can instruct Keystone to provide support on any given transaction.
  • Embedded Service – Solicitors with niche expertise can be borrowed from Keystone and seamlessly presented as regular consultants.
  • Referral Service – Firms can confidently refer matters to Keystone when they are not in a position to undertake them.

In all three cases, Keystone provides a solicitor’s undertaking to confirm that no further instructions will be accepted for the relevant client without the consent of the referring firm.

Solicitor profiles on Keystone’s website have been updated to provide more comprehensive details as to their background, career history and recognition in Legal 500 and/or Chambers.

James Knight continues:

“When any firm instructs another they need to be sure of two things. Firstly, that the work will be done properly and in accordance with the client’s instructions and secondly, that the client’s loyalty will remain unaffected. Law Firm Support recognises and seeks to address these understandable concerns. I would encourage other firms to mirror these offerings and to support one another in a similar manner.”

Notes to editors

For more information please contact:

Miriam Low, Byfield Consultancy, 0207 092 3980, Miriam@Byfieldconsultancy.com

About Keystone

  • Keystone Law was established in 2002. It is the country’s largest and most successful platform law firm with over 120 experienced solicitors averaging 18 years post qualification experience.Keystone is a full service commercial law firm whose clients are comprised of SMEs, entrepreneurs and individuals
  • Keystone solicitors use an intuitive IT platform to work together from their satellite offices, homes, or clients offices. They are comprehensively supported by a central London office which provides meeting rooms and support staff and performs the firm’s administrative functions. Overhead savings and other efficiencies allow Keystone to deliver exceptional value for money
  • Keystone’s fee earners are free to focus on client relationships without the distractions of running a legal practice. Lawyers enjoy an excellent work/life balance. The firm operates a performance-based remuneration structure rather than paying conventional salaries
  • Keystone’s clients include ING Real Estate, Lloyds Pharmacy , LoveFilm, Neal’s Yard, Snog Yoghurt , Sodexo, Stagecoach.