We are aware of the recent High Court decision in Mazur and the discussion it has prompted across parts of the legal sector. While the judgment does not change the law, we recognise that it has raised questions about how some in the profession have interpreted and implemented the reserved legal activity ‘conduct of litigation’ under the Legal Services Act in practice.
The LSB’s role is to oversee the regulation of legal services by frontline regulators. In turn, it is for each regulator to provide direct guidance to those they authorise – regulated lawyers and legal professionals – in accordance with their scope of authorisation. We are in contact with the relevant regulators and representative bodies and will be meeting shortly with the purpose of establishing what action has been taken and is planned to ensure that effective advice and guidance is in place. It is of paramount importance that lawyers and legal professionals who are involved in the conduct of litigation receive clear and accurate information and comply with their scope of authorisation.