The legal profession throughout most of Canada enjoys the privilege of self-regulation and a (purported) monopoly over legal practice. In Ontario, the Law Society must regulate so as to facilitate access to justice and protect the public interest. Critics argue that self-regulation is anti-competitive it allows the profession to control the market for legal services,…
California State Bar publishes responses to its consultation on the licensing of a new paraprofessional.
In 2021 the California State Bar published a consultation on a potential new paraprofessional license designed to ease the access to justice problem being experienced in the state. This new type of legal paraprofessional is intended to be a cheaper alternative to a fully licensed lawyer and would only be able to offer a very…
Oregon State Bar launches a consultation on new paraprofessional licensing plans
The Oregon State Bar has released plans for the introduction of licensed paraprofessionals, in a public consultation. It is proposing to restrict this new paraprofessional to practice in two areas of law, family and landlord/tenant issues. This is intended to help at least some of the 84% of Oregon residents who cannot currently access the…
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales launches research to identify gaps in access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales has launched research to identify gaps in access to justice. The research will focus on where gaps exist across England and Wales and what impact these could have on different groups of consumers. The project will include an investigation into how factors such as ethnicity and socio-economic…
Victorian warning on lawyers involvement in crowdfunding activities
Lawyers in the state of Victoria have been warned about their public conduct. Fiona McLeay’s December 2021 report sets out the importance of balance between access to justice and acting in a client’s best interests. The report reminds lawyers to think carefully before advising communities to pursue cases which will likely not be successful in…
State Bar of California’s consultation on new paraprofessional licence closes
The consultation, which closed on 12th January, focused on the potential licensing of a new legal service provider, the paraprofessional. It is hoped this new legal qualification will improve access to justice by creating a new professional to provide routine legal services at a more affordable rate. Read the full article here.
How Consumer-Focused Innovations in the Legal Services Market Invigorate Access to Justice
Abstract: The Legal Services Act 2007 was devised to effectuate a wide ranging reform in favour of access to justice, bringing about profound transformations to the legal services market. The essay examines the various mechanisms contrived to operate in the consumers’ interest, as well as the impact of technology disruption on the private and business…
The Law Society of Saskatchewan Canada has issued an article entitled ‘Better connecting consumers of legal services and alternative legal providers’
The Law Society of Saskatchewan Canada has issued an article written by the Future of Legal Services committee entitled ‘Better connecting consumers of legal services and alternative legal providers’ to highlight access to justice information. The article focuses on how legal information can help and the different ways lawyers can be more transparent about billing…
Law Society of Alberta continues Lawyer Referral Service review
In 2020 the Law Society of Alberta took the Lawyer Referral Service back in house, and launched a survey to gather the input of key stakeholders regarding the service. After many years being run by Calgary Legal Guidance, in March 2020, the Law Society took LRS back in-house. This was partly to better understand how…
California Bar launches access to justice consultation
The State Bar of California is seeking to solve the issue of access to justice many residents suffer given the high cost of legal services, by establishing a new paraprofessional. They estimate 85% of legal problems received no or inadequate help. It is hoped a new more affordable legal professional would go some way to…