Office of the Leader of the House of Commons

Legal Services Act

Key Benefits The Legal Services Bill seeks to establish a new regulatory framework for legal services that will put the consumer at its heart. Its main provisions are: The establishment of a Legal Services Board (LSB) as a single oversight body, independent from both Government and approved regulators, to provide a more consistent and coherent framework of regulation. The establishment of an independent Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) as a body with statutory power to handle complaints concerning providers of legal services, and to award redress to consumers in appropriate circumstances. It will address concerns about the quality, independence, and consistency of complaints handling by the legal professions. Alternative Business Structures (ABS) which will enable lawyers and non-lawyers to work together on an equal footing to deliver legal and other services in ways that better meet the needs of consumers. External investment will be possible, and new business structures will give legal providers greater flexibility to respond to market demands. Licences will be conferred by licensing authorities and various safeguards will be set in place.

Act of Parliament

Explanatory Notes

Regulatory Impact assessment

Territorial Extent
England and Wales

The Bill extends to England & Wales and will extend to Scotland in respect of provision about the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents and the Institute of Trade Mark Agents. The Bill also includes clauses that will enact reserved provisions in the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act.

Additional Information

The Bill was introduced to the House of Lords on 23 November 2006. It received its Second Reading on 6 December, and began Committee stage on 9 January 2007.

Comments

If you have any comments on the proposals you can email them to:

legalservicesbill@dca.gsi.gov.uk

Department for Constitutional Affairs

Draft Programme 2007/08