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…
The Legal Services Board of England and Wales is running a Reshaping Legal Services Conference in March 2024
The Legal Services Board of England and Wales is running a Reshaping Legal Services Conference on 7 March 2024, below is an abridged version of the programme: Ethics: Ethics, integrity and the rule of law The human impact of aggressive litigation: In conversation with Lee Castleton Panel: Professional ethics and the rule of law: The…
Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales launches a review of consumer protection
The SRA has initiated a comprehensive review of consumer protection measures in response to the emergence of new risks in the legal sector. The review targets two primary areas: firstly, enhancing risk identification, monitoring, and approval processes for regulated law firms to mitigate consumer harm, particularly around client money; secondly, assessing the adequacy of current…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales is recruiting a Director of Consumer Policy and Engagement
The post of Director of Consumer Policy and Engagement will be responsible for driving confidence and trust in legal services, engaging in key debates about consumer policy and maintaining close engagement with consumers and consumer groups, and deepening the connection between strategic objectives and policy developments. This new position will lead a new team within…
The Bar Standards Board of England and Wales issues consultation on revisions to definition of academic legal training
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has initiated a three-month public consultation to gather opinions on proposed revisions to the definition of academic legal training and handling consequential waivers and exemptions. The BSB aims to simplify the existing rules governing the academic component of Bar training to better align with objectives of maintaining high standards, flexibility,…