The role of regulation in promoting diversity – or why the regulator should not stay out of the way

In a recent blog post, Mark Neale, Chief Executive of the Bar Standards Board of England and Wales, rebutted the suggestion from the Chair of the Bar Council that the regulator should “stay out of the way” concerning issues of equality and diversity within the legal profession. The Bar Standards Board very different stance on…

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…

Legal Services Board annual regulatory performance review pushes improvements in performance and governance

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published annual reports on the performance of the eight legal services regulatory bodies. Each  one of the eight providers regulates a different type of lawyer in England and Wales, and has control over its day to day operations. However under the Legal Services Act 2007 (the Act), they have…

Legal Services: removing barriers to competition. Consultation on proposals to make amendments to the Legal Services Act 2007

This consultation sets out the UK government’s proposals to amend the regulatory framework for legal services to reduce barriers to the licensing of, and regulatory burdens on, legal service businesses that are licensed as Alternative Business Structures, bringing the legislative framework for these businesses more in line with that for other legal service businesses. Link…

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