A move into legal services is the next step for progressive top 40 UK accountancy practice

The move is one that is certainly pioneering for a mid-tier multi regional firm like Streets. Whilst the ‘Big 4’ accountancy firms have taken the lead in establishing a legal services provision in one form or another, most accountancy practices have not followed their lead. Following changes in government legislation, accountancy practices can now own and operate firms that are independently authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

When asked why Streets has set up its own legal services firm, Streets’ Chairman and Managing Partner, Paul Tutin, said:

“The pace of business has never been so fast and our clients’ affairs seem increasingly complicated. As such the demand for a much more holistic and commercially minded approach is one we continue to experience, especially from our corporate and business clients.

“The ability to offer a multi disciplinary approach, including financial, tax, business and legal advice is becoming ever more essential. In looking to establish a law service offering we have been extremely fortunate in being able to work with Adam Aisthorpe, co founder of Streets Law.

“Adam is an astute corporate and commercial lawyer and in his role as Managing Director of Streets Law, we are confident he will quickly establish our dedicated and standalone legal service provision, whilst at the same time, be able to offer our clients the legal advice and support they seek. We envisage that through being able to undertake legal work for our clients and being able to service the growing demand, we will be looking at significant growth in our legal practice team. 

“For those clients to whom Streets provide accountancy, tax and financial advice, there is a real benefit in also using Streets Law. With a mutual understanding of clients’ affairs and a close working relationship, we are well placed to provide legal solutions that take into account their particular circumstances, as well as being able to carry out work in a timely and efficient manner.”

Commenting on his new role as Managing Director and commercial lawyer with Streets Law Ltd, Adam Aisthorpe said:

“I am really excited at being able to build a new law firm practice from the ground up, one that reflects the changing needs and expectations of clients. The ability to work with colleagues from other disciplines, including accountancy, corporate finance and tax is something I am particularly looking forward to.  Providing legal advice in the round will be both rewarding personally, but also extremely beneficial to our clients. The benefits of which include joined up thinking, a linked service and that of a collective commercial mindset.

“Our main focus will be on corporate and commercial law, and not that of family or personal law. With a track record in mergers and acquisitions work, business restructuring and refinancing and providing legal support to businesses generally, my work is very much business focused.

“With Streets’ wider media interest, I will also support the need for legal advice for those in the media, entertainment, gaming and technology sectors, particularly for those clients located in London and Brighton. I will also be looking to support those clients in the education sector, including Academies and maintained schools as well as other third sector clients, registered charities and not for profit organisations.

In due course the intention is to provide our clients with a wider offering, including employment law, litigation and real estate advice and services.”

Streets Law provides support and advice to clients of Streets Chartered Accountant’s sixteen offices located across Yorkshire, the East Midlands, East of England, London and the Thames Valley area.