UK Legal Services Bill To Increase Competition, Argues Legal Services Minister

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

28 March 2007

Speaking on Monday as she opened the headquarters of the newly launched Co-operative Legal Services in Bristol, the UK's Legal Services Minister, Bridget Prenctice argued that consumers should have more choice of where and how to obtain high quality and easily accessible legal services.

Ms Prentice argued that the new kinds of business structures, made possible through the Legal Services Bill, would increase the choice of models for delivering legal services by enabling firms owned and managed by non-lawyers to provide legal services where appropriate.

She suggested that:

"Consumers today want their legal services delivered the same way other services are: they want a high quality, cheaper and more personalised service to suit their individual needs and one that is easy to access."

"The legal sector needs to lift the restrictions that limit competition. The Bill will let lawyers and non-lawyers work together on an equal footing for the first time, giving consumers access to different services under one roof."

The Legal Services Minister went on to add:

"I am pleased that the Co-operative Group has started preparations to provide legal services to the public once the Bill is passed by setting up a helpline and providing some legal services for its members."

Eddie Ryan, managing director of The Co-operative Legal Services, commented:

"The Legal Services Bill will lift the mystique and mistrust which surrounds much of the legal profession. The Co-operative Group's values of openness, honesty and trust, coupled with our legal expertise, will be major assets for us as the provision of legal services is reformed."

The Legal Services Bill was introduced to Parliament in November 2006, following an independent Review of the Regulatory Framework of Legal Services conducted by Sir David Clementi.

The Bill, expected to receive Royal Assent later this year, establishes:

• An independent oversight regulator, the Legal Services Board;
• A new, independent complaints handling body, the Office for Legal Complaints; and
• Enables the facilitation of Alternative Business Structures.

Implementation of the Legal Services Bill is likely to take place in 2-3 years following the granting of Royal Assent.

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