The Solicitors Regulation Authority will fast track alternative business structure applications from firms seeking to bid for new criminal legal aid contracts, it has been revealed. In a letter to the House of Commons Justice Committee, SRA board chair Charles Plant said that ABS applications from non-traditional law firms could be processed ‘within three months’ and those from traditional law firms ‘within one month’.

Applications have so far taken an average of seven months.

The Justice Committee’s report, published last week, also revealed that it will invite justice secretary Chris Grayling to give evidence on the proposals a second time