Month: May 2024

We are conducting an independent review of regulatory events leading up to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) intervention into Axiom Ince. We had planned to publish the report shortly. As a public body, the Legal Services Board is required to adhere to General Election guidance. The guidance states that during the pre-election period, ‘Departmental and…

Read Update on our independent SRA review related to Axiom Ince – 29 May 2024

The Legal Services Board (LSB) today announces the appointment of Craig Westwood as its new Chief Executive Officer. Craig joins the LSB from the Electoral Commission, where he is currently Director of Communications, Policy and Research. The Board appointed Craig following an open recruitment process. He brings a wealth of experience in policy, research, public…

Read Legal Services Board announces new Chief Executive

The Ministry of Justice and the Legal Services Board (LSB) today announced the appointment of Christine Nwaokolo as a non-lay member of the LSB. She has been appointed for four years, from 1 May 2024 until 30 April 2028. Dr Gary Kildare has also been reappointed for a second four-year term as a lay member…

Read LSB announces Christine Nwaokolo as a Board member

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published research into litigation funding and its potential to improve access to justice. The research also considers issues related to consumer protection and regulation. Led by Professor Rachael Mulheron KC (Hon), Professor of Tort Law and Civil Justice at Queen Mary University of London, the report’s findings include that…

Read LSB publishes research into litigation funding

Last month, the Legal Services Board announced that it would undertake an independent review of regulatory events leading up to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s intervention into SSB Group. The scope of the review has been published.

Read LSB publishes scope of review into SRA actions in the lead-up to SSB Group collapse

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has issued Requirements, Guidance and a statement of policy to regulators to improve the way in which first tier complaints are handled. First tier complaints are the initial complaints that consumers make to their legal provider about the service they have received.   These measures aim to drive significant improvement in…

Read LSB bolsters requirements on how lawyers handle consumer complaints

I was thrilled to chair a roundtable discussion in Bangor, North Wales, last week (25 April 2024) with lawyers, academics, representatives from regulators, the Welsh Government and advice centres. We explored several issues, including access to justice, the benefits and risks of technology, and the challenge of attracting and retaining lawyers in Wales. I am…

Read Chair’s blog April 2024