MSPs to probe legal shake-up

A SHAKE-UP of the legal profession which could see supermarkets and banks providing services was set to come under the spotlight of MSPs today.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has already told lawyers that the status quo is "not an option" after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) called for change earlier this year.

Currently, lawyers cannot go into partnership with non-lawyers.

However, the OFT believes consumers would benefit if these "alternative business structures" were overhauled.