Abstract This essay aims to contribute robust grounds to question the Susskinds’ influential, consequentialist logic when it comes to the legitimacy criteria for wholesale automation in the legal profession. It does so by questioning their minimalist understanding of the professions. If it is our commitment to moral equality that is at stake every time lawyers…
Impact evaluation of Solicitors Regulation Authority’s regulatory reform programme
The SRA has delivered significant regulatory reform to the legal market in recent years, key developments have included the introduction of: Alternative Business Structures (ABSs) in 2012 Multi-Disciplinary Practices (MDPs) in 2014 the reformed separate business rule in 2015 To help the SRA understand the early impact of these changes, including identifying evidence of any…
Solicitors Regulation Authority takes steps to promote innovation
Following consultation last year, the SRA Innovate initiative will continue to encourage the development of new services while ensuring proper safeguards for the public are in place. Early indications from the pilots are that this type of facility is useful for small firms, larger providers and new entrants to the legal services market. The opportunity…
The Bar Standards Board: new consultation launched
In March, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) launched a new consultation seeking views on the final phase of the Governance Reform outlined in its 2016-19 Strategic Plan. The BSB now proposes to change how it deals with the information it receives as the regulator and to revise its decision-making structures in relation to professional conduct…
Understanding consumer experiences of conveyancing legal services
Conveyancing is one of the most common legal services people use in their lifetime, with more than one million homes bought and sold every year in the UK. However, there are some concerns about the conduct of some solicitors and the quality of service they are providing, with high proportions of insurance claims and complaints to the…
The legal needs of small businesses 2013-2017
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published its third research report focusing on the legal needs of small businesses and looking at how their views have changed – and the legal services market has responded – since similar research was conducted in 2013 and in 2015. It is the largest ever survey of small firms’ interactions with the legal…
SRA publishes the findings of its money laundering review
The SRA’s review of 50 firms has shown that although most law firms are doing what is needed to tackle money laundering, some need to do more. The review of firms – large and small – explored the profession’s compliance with the more stringent demands of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, introduced last June. It also…
LSB open consultation: share your views
The Legal Services Board (England and Wales) has launched a consultation paper seeking input and comment on their proposed three-year strategy (2018 – 2021) and business plan for 2018/19. Some of the key themes and questions they address include: the impact of technology; consumer engagement with and experience of legal services; the impact of changing population…
Unlocking the benefits of diversity
Research undertaken by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (England and Wales) aims to shed light on what is being done, and what can be done, to improve the representation of female and black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) solicitors in senior roles such as partners or directors. The aim of the research was to understand what…
Prices of Individual Consumer Legal Services 2017: LSB research
The Legal Services Board (England and Wales) has published research which monitors the average prices that consumers pay for a number of common legal services. Understanding changes in prices over time helps determine whether there have been any improvements in the extent of competition between providers, and affordability and access to justice for consumers. It provides…