Category: News

The Legal Services Board (LSB), the oversight regulator of legal services in England and Wales, welcomes today’s report into bullying and harassment at the Bar. We acknowledge the serious issues it highlights, including concerns about how the Bar Standards Board (BSB) sets and enforces standards for professional conduct.  Bullying, harassment and misconduct are problems across…

Read LSB responds to independent review of bullying and harassment at the Bar

Today we have published a set of voluntary undertakings given by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). These are designed to address concerns identified in our most recent Regulatory Performance Assessment and focus on how the BSB will:  The undertakings have been developed collaboratively and include measurable targets. They reflect a shared commitment to delivering improvements…

Read BSB gives commitments to LSB to improve performance 

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has issued new guidance for legal services regulators, highlighting the vital contribution lawyers make in combating economic crime.   The guidance supports regulators in implementing a regulatory objective introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The LSB and legal services regulators are required to promote the prevention and…

Read Legal Services Board issues guidance highlighting lawyers’ vital role in tackling economic crime

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has set out the actions it took in 2024/25 to help legal services better meet the needs of the public. The oversight regulator took steps to make sure that regulation maintains standards, promotes confidence and facilitates economic growth. One major action was to begin formal action against the Solicitors Regulation…

Read LSB strengthens legal sector oversight to safeguard public trust and support economic growth 

The Chief Executive of the Legal Services Board (LSB), Craig Westwood, will leave the organisation in the summer, having tendered his resignation this week, citing personal considerations. LSB Interim Chair, Catherine Brown, said: “On behalf of the Board and all of us at the LSB, I want to thank Craig for his leadership during his…

Read Craig Westwood steps down as LSB Chief Executive 

Although the prices of legal services continue to rise, consumers can benefit from more legal services being offered remotely and pricing becoming more transparent, as shown by new research from the Legal Services Board (LSB).    The LSB’s survey of the prices of individual legal services in England and Wales looks at commonly-used legal services –…

Read More legal services offered remotely, but prices continuing to increase  

An independent review of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) actions before it closed law firm Axiom Ince Limited has led the Legal Services Board (LSB) to take enforcement action against the SRA. The LSB has issued binding directions to avoid a repeat of the regulatory failures identified. These directions are designed to ensure that the SRA…

Read LSB orders SRA actions after £60m client money loss at Axiom Ince

In its business plan for 2025/26, published today, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has outlined its priorities, which aim at improving outcomes for consumers and the public. These priorities include work to improve ethical standards within the profession, as well as work to protect the public from risks emerging from market developments. Alongside its policy…

Read Policy priorities set out in LSB business plan 2025/26

The two largest legal regulators in England and Wales have fallen short of expected standards, according to the latest annual performance assessment published today by the Legal Services Board (LSB).  The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Bar Standards Board (BSB) together regulate more than 90% of legal professionals in England and Wales.  Both failed to…

Read Major legal regulators fall short in latest performance assessment 

New regulatory measures to strengthen ethical standards in the legal sector have been  proposed today, to initiate a significant shift in how lawyers’ ethics are taught, overseen and supported in workplaces.  The Legal Services Board (LSB) is seeking views on how regulators support lawyers to fully understand and uphold their ethical duties throughout their careers….

Read New regulatory proposals to strengthen lawyers’ ethical standards

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has provided written evidence to the review of litigation funding by the Civil Justice Council (CJC). Our response draws on a number of sources including the LSB’s own literature review of litigation funding, which was published in 2024, and the potential it identifies to improve access to justice. We note that this…

Read The Legal Services Board’s response to Civil Justice Council’s Consultation on Litigation Funding

The Chair of the Legal Services Board (LSB), Alan Kershaw, has notified the Lord Chancellor that he stands down from his role this week, citing personal considerations. LSB Chief Executive Craig Westwood said: “Alan leaves with our gratitude for the leadership he has provided during his time as Chair of the LSB. He has brought…

Read Alan Kershaw steps down as LSB Chair