The Law Society of Scotland has addressed forthcoming changes to Companies House ID verification processes in an article dated 23 January 2025, with an update on 24 February 2025. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, firms supervised under anti-money laundering (AML) regulations—such as Professional Service Providers like solicitors and accountants, and Trust and…
New regulatory proposals to strengthen lawyers’ ethical standards
On March 6, 2025, the Legal Services Board (LSB) of England and Wales proposed new regulatory measures to enhance ethical standards within the legal profession, marking a significant shift in how lawyers’ ethics are taught, monitored, and supported. Aimed at ensuring lawyers uphold their ethical duties throughout their careers, these proposals respond to evidence of…
Legal Services Board unveils interactive map and research to drive action to enhance legal sector diversity
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published an interactive map along with two comprehensive reports aiming to break down barriers within the legal profession that hinder individuals from diverse backgrounds from achieving successful legal careers. These initiatives pinpoint critical stages in legal careers where barriers such as elitist perceptions, undervaluation of non-traditional entry paths, workplace…
Legal Services Board of England and Wales issues guidance on promoting technology and innovation to improve access to legal services
The Legal Services Board (LSB) of England and Wales has issued guidance aimed at promoting the use of technology and innovation within the legal sector to improve access to legal services. This guidance outlines three main outcomes that regulators should strive to achieve: enabling the use of technology and innovation to support improved access to…
The Legal Services Board of England and Wales have made available recordings and resources from their recent Reshaping Legal Services Conference
On 7 March 2024, the Legal Services Board and Legal Consumer Panel organised its second annual Reshaping Legal Services Conference. The conference followed a wide range of topics, for a full programme run down follow the link here. The Legal Services Board has made available recordings of speeches and presentations as well as other resources to…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has initiated a consultation on its potential regulation of certain types of paralegals
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has initiated a consultation regarding proposed rule changes to enable the regulation of non-authorized members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). This follows CILEX’s proposal to re-delegate regulation to the SRA. While a previous consultation addressed regulation of authorized CILEX members, this new consultation focuses specifically on non-authorized…
The Chair of the House of Commons Justice Committee has presented eight key recommendations following their examination of the regulation of the legal professions in England and Wales
Sir Bob Neill KC, Chair of the House of Commons Justice Committee of the UK Parliament, has written to UK Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC, presenting eight key recommendations following the Committee’s examination of the regulation of the legal professions in England and Wales, highlighting the need for a review of the Legal Services Board…
The Legal Services Board of England and Wales has published its business plan for 24/25
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published its 24/25 business plan. This plan has three strategic themes, fairer outcomes, stronger confidence and better services and is underpinned by the 9 regulatory objectives of the 2007 Legal Services Act. The plan sets out the key areas and activities the LSB will focus on for the duration…
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is removed as an approved regulator by the Legal Services Board
On February 29, 2024, the Lord Chancellor accepted the recommendation from the LSB to approve The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)’s application to cancel its designation as an approved regulator under the Legal Services Act (2007). This decision followed a recommendation made by the LSB in July 2022, which came after ACCA confirmed that…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority seeks views on new resources specifically for in-house lawyers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has developed new resources to support the over 34,500 solicitors working in-house in England and Wales. These materials, created in collaboration with the regulator’s virtual in-house solicitor reference group, address issues identified in the SRA’s 2023 thematic review and feedback from in-house solicitors. When asked for comment, Juliet Oliver, General…