The latest findings from the survey of a panel of 579 firms by the Law Society's research and policy planning unit provide yet more evidence of a growing interest in multidisciplinary partnerships.

More than a third of the firms involved in the survey had discussed the issue at partnership level and over 70% of those were in favour of solicitors forming partnerships with others.

Interestingly, those most interested in considering MDPs were firms with fewer than five partners.

One likely explanation for this i s the belief that teaming up with other professionals would enable even the smallest firms to compete more effectively.As for the kind of professionals that were viewed as suitable mates, accountants were first by a long way, although partnerships with barristers, chartered surveyors, financial advisers and patent agents were also considered quite acceptable by a substantial number.Throughout this year, MDPs have been a recurring theme.

The Labour party has firmly stated its intention to abolish rules prohibiting MDPs and there is pressure from the 'big six' accountants for liberalisation.

Price Waterhouse, for example, which already has an associated legal firm, Arnheim & Co, is believed to be ready to move to a fully fledged one-stop shop in the event of the rules being relaxed.And there is pressure from within the legal profession.

The Law Society is faced with an increasing number of questions about MDPs and has received applications from several solicitors' firms seeking exemption from the rules to allow them to take, for example, patent agents into partnership.

And the apparent success of those firms that have formed 'quasi MDPs' with accountants -- the Garrett & Co/Arthur Anderson link is the best known -- has caused some firms to consider similar moves.

David Furst of accountants Clark Whitehill reports (see below) that the firm has received a number of approaches from solicitors anxious to team up.International trends are also impinging.

The World Trade Organisation is conducting an investigation into the provision of professional services world-wide, starting with accountants and moving on to lawyers.The issue of MDPs is very likely to become the subject of even greater attention in 1997.

The Law Society's standards and guidance committee began a fresh review of MDPs this summer and is wrestling with the extremely difficult questions such structures raise, like control, confidentiality and conflict.

The committee's report will come in the new year and will serve as an up-to-date and considered contribution to a debate that could end in fundamental change for the legal profession.