The idea that access to justice relies on the ability of lawyers to develop “new business models” for the provision of legal services has been rising within the legal community in Canada and elsewhere. Following the example set by the England and Wales Legal Services Act 2007, several North American bar associations are currently considering relaxing regulatory constraints and allow lawyers to practice law in different types of “alternative business structures” (ABS). This article examines the approach taken in the Legal Services Act 2007 with respect to ABS and the impact the Act has had on the legal services market to date. In light of available data, it seems that although the presence of ABS fosters innovation, it is not sufficient to drive large-scale changes in business models in the market, at least in the medium term ; in addition, ABS’s increased access to capital enable them to have significant effects on the market, regardless of their innovative nature.