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 widespread failures, ranging from unintentional oversights to serious misconduct like misleading courts, using Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs), and misusing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The LSB emphasizes that high ethical standards are vital to maintain public trust, support justice and the rule of law, and drive economic growth.
The proposals focus on reforming legal education, training, and regulators’ codes of conduct, mandating that ethics remain central to lawyers’ professional behavior. LSB Chief Executive Craig Westwood highlighted the critical role of regulators in equipping lawyers with the knowledge, skills, and workplace support needed for ethical decision-making. He noted that addressing gaps in understanding and support is essential to improve fairness and protect the global reputation of the UK legal profession. However, he stressed that transforming workplace and leadership culture will require collaboration across and beyond the sector.
The LSB will launch a consultation on these proposals at its Reshaping Legal Services Conference on the same day, inviting input to shape effective regulation. The consultation, open until 23:59 on May 29, 2025, is accessible online and reflects the LSB’s commitment to ongoing engagement with regulators and stakeholders. This initiative aims to foster a culture where high ethical standards are not only expected but actively enabled, ensuring the legal profession remains a cornerstone of justice and integrity.