We began our July meeting by reflecting on our recent engagement event in Manchester. I would like to thank our hosts, speakers, and attendees for welcoming us so warmly and sharing their views so generously. We came away with many insights to consider, including those of Fiona Ledden, President of Manchester Law Society, who kindly…
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…
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…
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
Not every Board meeting involves momentous decisions; some are just as important for the steady guidance they provide to our ongoing work. Our June meeting was very much about making sure that key projects are progressing in the right direction and that our governance obligations are met. We began by reviewing a draft of our…
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
We began our April meeting with a presentation from Michael Stych, the CEO of Contend Legal. This is an AI-powered chatbot service that provides information in response to users’ legal questions. Although Contend Legal operates in an unregulated area, not within the LSB’s oversight, we conduct research into unregulated providers and consider their impact on…
Read Chair’s blog: addressing today’s challenges, embracing tomorrow’s opportunities
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…
As the interim Chair of the LSB, it is my pleasure to report on our board meeting on 25 March, as well as other recent events. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate my fellow Board member, Flora Page KC, who has recently taken silk. LSB business plan and budget for 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
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