Law firm in equal ABS partnership with charity

A new legal firm dedicated to providing a specialist service to clients with spinal cord injury, has received approval from the (SRA) for its alternative business structure (ABS).

Aspire Law, which will formally launch on 3 November 2014, has been created through a partnership between national spinal injury charity, Aspire, and law firm Moore Blatch. Both partner organisations have worked closely to combine their knowledge and experience in spinal cord injury to create the new social enterprise model of law firm designed to place clients' needs at the centre of its work.

Legal director of Aspire Law, Damian Horan, said: "Before agreeing on the structure of the business, considerable research was completed into client experiences, expectations and concerns around legal claims resulting from spinal injuries. The feedback received was incredibly valuable and this information directly influenced the final business model.

"We believe Aspire Law will provide genuine competition within the market, as the business uses an innovative solution that combines strong legal expertise with charitable values, putting the needs of those with spinal cord injury above all else."

Aspire Law will make no deduction of fees from the compensation awarded to its clients, allowing them to keep 100 per cent of their award.

Unlike other providers of legal services for personal injury, the new business is solely dedicated to spinal cord injuries. As well as using lawyers the business also expects to benefit from Aspire's knowledge of providing services for spinally injured people. Services will tackle issues including housing, education, care and rehabilitation, as well as emotional and family support that arise out of such injuries.

As a joint partner in the venture, Aspire will receive 50 per cent of profits to reinvest back into its charitable causes. These funds will be used to support and expand existing projects like the Aspire Housing Programme, which provide accommodation to patients once discharged from hospital, and the charity's grant giving scheme that assists spinally injured people afford specialist equipment.

Brian Carlin, chief executive of Aspire, said: "We are really excited about this opportunity and the benefits it will bring to people with spinal cord injuries. The income generated from this venture will lead to substantial support for other spinal cord injured people, who aren't in a position to receive compensation claims, but can benefit from many of the services which we operate and willdevelop in the future.”

Photo: Damian Horan, legal director for Aspire Law, and Brian Carlin, chief executive of Aspire.