Current Awareness » Legal Services Board

Legal Services Board pledges to work better with regulators – Legal Week

sally — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:03:14 +0000

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has restated its intention to work better with industry regulators following a series of criticisms by bodies including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB).”

Full story

Legal Week, 12th April 2013

Source: www.legalweek.com

Public access rules approved by LSB – Bar Standards Board

sally — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:55:06 +0000

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has today approved the removal of two rules around public access work that will promote greater access to justice. At the same time the BSB is strengthening the training that all public access barristers are required to undertake.”

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 28th March 2013

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Fresh cab-rank rule row as LSB approves public access reforms – Legal Futures

sally — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:59:33 +0000

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has criticised the Bar Standards Board’s (BSB) failure to apply the cab-rank rule to public access work and said this omission will reduce the impact of rule changes that widen the scope for barristers dealing directly with clients.”

Full story

Legal Futures, 2nd April 2013

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Legal Services Board draft business plan response – Bar Standards Board

sally — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:55:31 +0000

“The Bar Standards Board today responded to the draft Legal Services Board business plan 2013-14.”

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 8th March 2013

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Bar calls on the LSB to tighten its belt – Law Society’s Gazette

sally — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:13:59 +0000

“The Bar Council has publicly attacked the Legal Services Board for appearing immune from financial pressures affecting the legal profession and government departments.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 4th March 2013

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

LSB recommends regulation of will-writing activities – Legal Services Board

sally — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:36:55 +0000

“The Legal Services Board is today [13 February] recommending to the Lord Chancellor that will writing activities should be made subject to regulation, so that the significant risks consumers currently face when using these critical services is reduced.”

Full story (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 13th February 2013

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Setting the matter straight – The Bar Council

sally — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:29:33 +0000

“The merits of joining forces with the Law Society and CILEx; the need to help facilitate the transition to the new world, even if its flaws are readily apparent; the Bar as guardians of the Rule of Law; and a fond farewell.”

Full story (PDF)

The Bar Council, December 2012

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Simplify complaints procedures, OFT tells profession – Law Society’s Gazette

sally — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:13:21 +0000

“The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has urged the legal profession to simplify its complaints procedures, following the publication of research showing that only one in eight dissatisfied customers goes on to make a formal complaint.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 28th January 2013

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

The Cab Rank Rule: Its Meaning and Purpose in the New Legal Services Market – Legal Services Board

sally — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:41:56 +0000

“In May 2012 the LSB commissioned Prof. John Flood (University of Westminster) and Prof. Morton Hvvid (University of East Anglia) to carry out a literature review analysing the impact on the market of paragraphs 601-610 of the of the Bar Standards Board’s (BSB) code, otherwise known as the ‘cab rank rule’. The LSB published The Cab Rank Rule: Its Meaning and Purpose in the New Legal Services Market on 22 January 2013.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 22nd January 2013

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

LSB responds to OFT report which outlines the changes to the regulation of legal services brought about by the Legal Services Act 2007 – Legal Services Board

tracey — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:29:25 +0000

“LSB responds to OFT report which outlines the changes to the regulation of legal services brought about by the Legal Services Act 2007.”

Full press release

Legal Services Board, 18th January 2013

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

LSB’s regulatory assessments: Positive signs, but much further to go – Legal Services Board

sally — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:35:24 +0000

“The Legal Services Board is today publishing its first assessments of the performance of
regulators in the legal services sector. These are issued alongside a consultation on the
LSB’s draft Business Plan for 2013/14. Together these documents make clear the importance,
the LSB attaches to improving regulatory performance in the coming year.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 12th December 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

LSB responds to consultation by revising plans for regulation of special bodies – Legal Services Board

sally — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:29:09 +0000

“Special bodies – including not-for profit agencies and community interest companies –
providing reserved legal activities will not become licensed under the Legal Services Act 2007
until at least April 2015, the LSB confirms today [5 December].”

Full story (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 5th December 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

LSB must go now, says Bar Council chief – Law Society’s Gazette

sally — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:22:51 +0000

“The barristers’ profession cranked up its pressure on the Legal Services Board this weekend as the chair of the Bar Council called for the super regulator to be ‘disbanded’.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 12th November 2012

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Market impacts of the Legal Services Act 2007 – Legal Services Board

sally — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:38:09 +0000

Market impacts of the Legal Services Act 2007 – Baseline Report (Final) 2012 (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 25th October 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Getting the Incentives Right – Speech by Chris Kenny, Chief Executive, Legal Services Board

sally — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:17:53 +0000

Getting the Incentives Right (PDF)

Speech by Chris Kenny, Chief Executive, Legal Services Board

Westminster Legal Policy Forum, 18th October 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Evaluation: How can we measure access to justice for individual consumers? – Legal Services Board

sally — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:10:04 +0000

Evaluation: How can we measure access to justice for individual consumers? (PDF)

Presentation made by LSB Research Project Manager at the LSRC conference.

Legal Services Board, September 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Access to transactional justice: A comparison of consumer responses to transactional and justiciable problems – Legal Services Board

sally — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:08:52 +0000

Access to transactional justice: A comparison of consumer responses to transactional and justiciable problems (PDF)

Presentation made by LSB Head of Development and Research at the LSRC conference

Legal Services Board, September 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

LSB publishes a discussion paper which sets out a range of indicators that aim to baseline access to justice and monitor how it changes over time – Legal Services Board

tracey — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:39:33 +0000

“LSB publishes a discussion paper which sets out a range of indicators that aim to baseline access to justice and monitor how it changes over time.”

Full press release

Legal Services Board, 12th September 2012

Source: www.www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Tracking changes to legal ethics – LSB research suggests the way ahead – Legal Services Board

sally — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:22:18 +0000

“The Legal Services Board today publishes a report by a team led by Professor Richard Moorhead of University College, Director of the Centre for Ethics and Law at London, outlining how professional ethics in the legal sector may be tracked over time. The LSB commissioned the research to support the ongoing evaluation of the impact of the Legal Services Act 2007.”

Full story (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 5th September 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Bar victory over ‘cab rank’ rule – Law Society’s Gazette

tracey — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 10:28:47 +0000

“Changes to the ‘cab rank’ rule approved last week will pave the way for new standard contractual terms between solicitors and barristers.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 2nd August 2012

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Sticking to our principles – The Bar Council

sally — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:06:13 +0000

“Examining the LSB’s commitment to standards and to quality; the LSB decision to continue to permit referral fees; and a meeting with the new Chief Executive of the Legal Services Commission.”

Full story (PDF)

The Bar Council, June 2012

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

LSB report on consumer needs from legal information sources – Legal Services Board

sally — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:03:31 +0000

“LSB publishes report which explores the types of information consumers need to help them address legal issues they face.”

Understanding consumer needs from legal information sources: final report (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 6th June 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

General training ‘failing’, consumer watchdog tells review – Law Society’s Gazette

sally — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:23:54 +0000

“Regular re-accreditation and an end to the ‘general practitioner model’ of training are among the reforms called for by the Legal Services Consumer Panel in its submission to the Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) today.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 21st May 2012

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Writing a will with confidence – Legal Services Board

sally — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:56:56 +0000

“The LSB is today announcing proposals to deliver greater protection to consumers of the legal services of will-writing and estate administration. These would see the services brought within the scope of legal services regulation, regardless of who provides them.”

Full story (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 23rd April 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Will writing: call for industry-wide regulation – The Guardian

sally — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:42:31 +0000

“All firms offering will writing and estate administration should be regulated to protect consumers from falling victim to fraudsters and cowboy companies offering badly drafted documents, according to latest research.”

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd April 2012

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Market Trends in Legal Services – Legal Services Board

sally — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:01:02 +0000

“The Legal Services Board – the independent body overseeing the regulation of lawyers in England and Wales – is today releasing its Interim Baseline Report on the Market Impact of the Legal Services Act 2007.”

Full story (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 4th April 2012

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Legal Services Board concedes ‘no big bang’ in five years since LSA – The Lawyer

sally — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:39:30 +0000

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has admitted that the 2007 Legal Services Act (LSA) has not resulted in sweeping changes to the profession, stating in a five-year progress report that it is ‘early days’ to judge its impact.”

Full story

The Lawyer, 4th April 2012

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Legal Services Board’s Role Must Now be Confined – Bar Council Responds to Triennial Review – The Bar Council

sally — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:16:10 +0000

“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has responded to the Government’s Triennial Review of the Legal Services Board (LSB) and called for it to be actively discouraged by the Government from extending its remit beyond that envisaged by Parliament.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 2nd April 2012

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Related link: Full consultation response (PDF

Legal Services Board and Office for Legal Complaints triennial reviews – Ministry of Justice

sally — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:13:31 +0000

“The Government’s response to the Public Administration Select Committee report ‘Smaller Government: Shrinking the Quango state’ sets out the plans for reforming public bodies. It includes new triennial review requirements for non-departmental public bodies (NDPB).”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 10th January 2012

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

LSB gives go ahead for barristers to manage ABSs – Law Society’s Gazette

sally — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:21:36 +0000

“The Legal Services Board has approved the Bar Standards Board’s application for changes to the bar’s code of conduct to allow barristers to be managers or employees of alternative business structures.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 26th August 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

LSB to make a recommendation for Order under S.80 of Legal Services Act – Legal Services Board

sally — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:47:01 +0000

“The LSB has today (17 August) published its decision document and the Order that it will recommend to the Lord Chancellor should be made under section 80 of the Legal Services Act 2007 about the appeal mechanism for decisions of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) if it is designated as a Licensing Authority. This follows the consultation Alternative business structures: appeal arrangements which ran from 5 May 2011 to 2 June 2011 and our decision to recommend to the Lord Chancellor that the SRA should be designated as a Licensing Authority.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 17th August 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Alternative Business Structures (ABS) research report published – Legal Services Board

sally — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:15:18 +0000

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has today published its latest thinking on the impact of Alternative Business Structures (ABS) on the legal services market. The document, informed by engagement with regulators, existing providers and potential new entrants, brings together evidence and current thinking on how the market may develop following the emergence of the first ABS from 6 October 2011.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 12th August 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

Pupillage funding requirements: increase of minimum pupillage award to £12,000 – Bar Standards Board

michael — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:16:01 +0000

“The Legal Services Board has approved the application of the Bar Standards Board to increase the minimum pupillage award from £10,000 to £12,000 for a 12-months pupillage. The new rule comes into effect on 1 September 2011.”

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 7th June 2011

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Bar Council Stands by Calls to Ban Referral Fees and Urges LSB to Reconsider – The Bar Council

sally — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:55:57 +0000

“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has called for the Legal Services Board (LSB) to reconsider the outcome of its consultation on referral fees, which has concluded that there need not be an outright ban.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 1st June 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Lawyers wrestle once again with vexed question of referral fees – The Guardian

sally — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:51:51 +0000

“Should lawyers be allowed to pay for work referred to them? The debate remains as heated today as it was in 2004 when the Law Society, under pressure from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), first allowed solicitors to pay so-called referral fees.”

Full story

The Guardian, 31st May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

LSB sets out approach to safeguarding quality in the provision of legal services – Legal Services Board

tracey — Fri, 13 May 2011 10:06:52 +0000

“Plans form response to the advice of the Consumer Panel on quality.”

Full press release

Legal Services Board, 12th May 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

LSB consults on appeal arrangements for SRA as a licensing authority – Legal Services Board

sally — Fri, 06 May 2011 08:59:59 +0000

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has today published a consultation on proposals to establish the appeals mechanism in relation to decisions made by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) should it be designated as a Licensing Authority under the Alternative Business Structures (ABS) framework. Annexed to the consultation is an impact assessment.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 5th May 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

LSB consults on process for reviewing decisions about licensing applications – Legal Services Board

sally — Wed, 04 May 2011 08:49:40 +0000

“As part of the next stages of completing the licensing regime for Alternative Business Structures (ABS) the LSB has today published a new consultation focusing on reviewing decisions about licensing applications.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 3rd May 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

LSB sets out approach to overseeing regulation – Legal Services Board

sally — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:29:49 +0000

“The LSB is today launching a new discussion paper setting out its approach to ensuring standards of regulation in the legal services sector.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 26th April 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

LSB publishes literature review of legal needs – Legal Services Board

sally — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:59:26 +0000

“The LSB has conducted a review of existing research literature into the needs of different groups of legal services consumers. The review summarises the legal needs of a variety of different groups, their methods of accessing legal services and where their needs are not met. The review helps to identify gaps in existing research and will be used to target our future research programme.”

The Legal Needs of Consumer Groups (PDF)

Legal Services Board, 21st April 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

LSB assumes an oversight role in the regulation of immigration advice and services -

sally — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:14:53 +0000

“The Legal Services Board (LSB) has today (1 April) assumed a new responsibility under the Legal Services Act 2007. Commencement of Schedule 18 of the Act sees the LSB take on regulatory oversight for immigration advice and services provided by lawyers authorised by Approved Regulators.”

Full story

Legal Services Board, 1st April 2011

Source: www.legalservicesboard.org.uk

If lawyers’ independence starts being undermined, we are in a danger zone – The Guardian

sally — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:18:25 +0000

“Changes concerning the Legal Services Board and Citizens Advice, including the closure of the LSB’s website, have brought the independence issue to the fore again.”

Full story

The Guardian, 15th March 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Legal bodies fear government interference – Law Society’s Gazette

sally — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:37:47 +0000

“The independence of the legal profession is being threatened by government ‘diktats’ ordering that the websites of three legal quangos be closed, the chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) told a House of Lords debate this week.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 10th March 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Alternative business structures face fines of up to £150m – Law Society’s Gazette

sally — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:02:07 +0000

“Alternative business structures could be fined up to £150m and individuals working in them up to £50m, under plans outlined by the Legal Services Board.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 4th January 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

What will the Legal Services Board do about referral fees? – Law Society’s Gazette

sally — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:10:54 +0000

“Is the referral fee debate over? Two reports submitted recently to the Legal Services Board (LSB) would make one think that it is, even though the board itself has still to reach a final decision.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 14th June 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Podcast: Chris Kenny, Chief Executive of the Legal Services Board – Charon QC

sally — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:01:37 +0000

“Today (2 June) I talk to Chris Kenny, CEO of the Legal Services Board. Chris Kenny discusses the role and the function of the Legal Services Board and whether there is a need for it. He talks about the opportunities and threats to lawyers and legal services over the next five years. He looks at the impact on the Rule of Law given the proposed cuts to civil and criminal legal aid. He discusses the globalisation of legal services and international regulatory standards. Lastly, a bit of futurology, Chris discusses the likely legal landscape in the next five years.”

Podcast

Charon QC, 2nd June 2010

Source: www.charonqc.wordpress.com

“Charon QC” is the blogging pseudonym of Mike Semple Piggot, editor of insitelaw newswire.

Lawyers prepare to hear LeO roar – The Guardian

sally — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:36:05 +0000

“Have you ever complained about the service you received from a lawyer? It’s not always the easiest thing in the world: lawyers do not really see themselves as a service industry, and so tend to treat complaints as a personal affront rather than as a chance to ensure their clients have had a good experience.”

Full story

The Guardian, 1st June 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Neuberger MR calls for regulatory reform as ABS timeline is unveiled – The Lawyer

sally — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:26:37 +0000

“The Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger has called for the regulatory ‘maze’ introduced by the Legal Services Act (LSA) to be simplified by the Legal Services Board (LSB).”

Full story

The Lawyer, 23rd February 2010

Source: www.thelawyer.com

LSB consumer panel to examine referral fees – Law Society’s Gazette

sally — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:26:29 +0000

“The Legal Services Board’s new consumer panel will examine referral fees as the very first item on its agenda when it meets for the first time later this month, the Gazette has learned.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 9th November 2009

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Views sought on the enforcement powers of new Legal Services Board – Ministry of Justice

sally — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:49:34 +0000

“The Ministry of Justice today publishes a consultation on the regulations which will control the new Legal Services Board’s power to enter and search the premises of legal profession regulators under warrant.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 29th October 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk