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This is the opening of Pandora's box. Once opened, there is no going back, regardless of the extent of the damage which I believe will be inflicted on the profession.

As Legal Risk submitted in our response (page 1177 of the bundle of consultation responses https://goo.gl/lbpyJC), the proposal for alternative legal services providers is particularly concerning because, among other reasons -
1. They could legitimise bogus law firms, allowing criminals to control them, and consumers may be unable to distinguish them from SRA-regulated firms - effectively creating a new class of ABS with no suitability test for non-solicitor owners;
2. Elderly and vulnerable clients would be put at risk and damage consumer interest; and
3. The SRA’s supervisory role for anti-money laundering purposes may become more difficult to administer.

Given the SRA's frequently expressed concerns about bogus law firms, vulnerable clients, and money laundering, the conclusion drawn from the consultation is all the more surprising.