The Irish Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) invites submissions as part of a public consultation prior to a report to the Minister for Justice and Equality on the education and training arrangements in the State for legal practitioners.

The Legal Services Regulatory Authority was established on 1 October 2016 and is responsible for the regulation of the legal profession and ensuring that standards in legal services are maintained and improved.  Under section 34(1)(a) of the Legal Services Regulation Act, 2015, the LSRA is conducting  a public consultation as part of  its preparation of  a report to the Minister in relation to the initial and continuous education and training of legal practitioners (solicitors and barristers).

The consultation is seeking views from a wide range of organisations and individuals. The LSRA is interested to hear not only from those who are directly involved in legal practitioner education and training, as providers or recipients; but also from employers and clients who are ‘users’ of those emerging from the system.

The LSRA is also interested in views on whether there are any potential drivers for change which are external to the legal sector (e.g economic, social or technological) and which might suggest a changing need for the type, initial standard of qualification or content of training. Responses which provide insight into the experience of other professions and jurisdictions would also be useful.

Members of the public or other interested parties wishing to contribute should send a written submission as soon as possible but in any event to be received no later than 15 June 2018.

Link to the full consultation.