|
|
|
Government bills 2005/06 - Draft Bills |
| |
| | | | The White Paper 'The Future of Legal Services - Putting Consumers First' which was published 17 October 2005, set out proposals to reform the regulatory framework for legal services to put the consumer first. The key aspects are:
a Legal Services Board (LSB) - to provide strong and independent oversight with day to day regulation left to front line regulators (e.g. the Bar Council, Law Society).
Front Line Regulators will be authorised by the LSB if they meeting its standards, in particular in relation to governance arrangements which provide for a clear split between their regulatory and representative functions.
Objectives of the regulatory framework - These will apply to all partners in the regulatory framework
Alternative Business Structures (ABS) - to enable (subject to robust safeguards) different types of lawyers (e.g. solicitors and barristers) and non-lawyers to work together on an equal footing to deliver legal and other services. External investment will also be possible.
A single and fully independent Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) - to address concerns about the quality, independence, and consistency of complaints handling by the legal professions.
A mechanism to protect consumers if new problems occur - by enabling additional legal services to be brought quickly under the regulatory control of the LSB by secondary legislation.
| | | | England and Wales |
| |
|
Comments If you have any comments on the proposals you can email them to: general.queries@dca.gsi.gov.uk |
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|