The ‘go live’ date for legal disciplinary practices (LDPs) has been put back a month, to 31 March, at the instigation of justice minister Bridget Prentice.

In a statement today, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) said it will be able to regulate the new business vehicles from that date, subject to parliamentary approval.

The SRA had originally intended 1 March to be the ‘go live’ date for LDPs, a new type of legal practice employing a mix of solicitors and barristers. Up to 25% of partners may be professionals other than lawyers.

‘The Ministry of Justice wanted additional time to be sure that the provisions would be implemented effectively,’ the statement added.

SRA chief executive Antony Townsend said: ‘The change will benefit both consumers and the profession, providing greater choice and flexibility, and is the SRA's first step towards alternative business structures, which will offer even greater choice in legal services.’

As reported in today’s Gazette, only four firms have so far applied to become LDPs.