College of law – selling at top of market ?

Many commentators and lawyers now believe that boom times in the legal market are long gone and a period of contraction and reorganization looks likely for the foreseeable future. In addition, many would say that problems and threats to the legal market have been exacerbated by the fact that simply too many qualified lawyers are out there, and some go further, saying that it is immoral for students to be encouraged to go through the Legal Practice course (LPC) at considerable expense, when the prospects of achieving a training contract, let alone a stable legal career as a solicitor, are greatly diminished. So, the news that the College of Law, one of the biggest lawyer training accredited suppliers, is on the market for sale, perhaps signals the changes afoot and a shrewd sale by the owners to a possibly diminishing market.

Reports suggest that the possible sale value of the College will be in the range between £150-200 million. Those interested in buying are rumoured to include Palamon Capital Partners, Exponent Private Equity and Sovereign Capital.