More than 300 firms have registered as legal disciplinary partnerships (LDPs), according to the latest figures from the Solicitors Regulation Authority, indicating an acceleration of takeup in advance of the rules permitting alternative business structures (ABSs) next year.

There were 304 registered LDPs at the end of September, with the biggest takeup among small firms of 2-4 partners, with 133 LDPs in this category. There are 89 LDPs in firms with 5-10 partners, and 52 in firms with 11-25 partners. Among the largest firms, there are nine LDPs in practices with more than 81 partners.

Firms have been able to convert to LDP status since 31 March 2009, but only 140 had done so at the end of last year. LDPs can be owned and managed by a combination of different types of lawyer, and non-lawyers may comprise up to 25% of the managers or owners. Non-lawyer managers include accountants, teachers and lecturers, and financial planners. Non-solicitor managers who are lawyers are predominantly legal executives.

LDPs precede full ABSs, which the Legal Services Board plans to sanction from October 2011.

Meanwhile, the number of practising solicitors has continued to rise, with 120,917 at the end of September, up 7% from the end of last year. There are currently 10,962 law firms, roughly the same number as at the end of last year.