Background
The LSB is currently reviewing the process for how regulatory bodies alter their regulatory arrangements.
Assessing applications from our regulated community for alterations to their regulatory arrangements is one of the LSB’s statutory functions. A key focus of this process is considering the impact of the proposed changes on the Regulatory Objectives [PDF] set out in the Legal Services Act 2007 (the Act), including the impact on consumers, the public interest and competition in the market.
Latest Updates
December 2021
Having considered consultation responses we published our Decision Document [PDF] in December 2021.
The new Rules [PDF] and Statutory Guidance [PDF] are live from 1 February 2022.
August 2021
We are now considering consultation responses. We intend to take final rules and guidance to our Board for approval in November 2021.
June 2021
A consultation has been issued on proposed new rules and guidance. The consultation was published on 15 June 2021 and was open until 30 July 2021.
A paper [PDF] was considered by our Board providing draft rules and guidance for approval for consultation.
April 2021
A paper [PDF] was considered by our Board explaining the key proposals to be set out in draft new Rules and draft new Guidance, which we intend to publish for consultation following Board approval in June 2021.
January 2021
A paper [PDF] was considered by our Board setting out the overarching objectives of the review.
Earlier Work / Stakeholder Engagement
Initially we looked back on common issues and concerns encountered in assessing previous applications. This allowed us to start to develop some early themes and working proposals.
In December 2020, we commenced the first round of our engagement with all regulatory bodies [PDF] to gather their views on the current process and their perspective on potential improvements. These meetings have continued into 2021 and we expect to meet with interested approved regulators [PDF] in due course.
What do we plan to do next?
Our consultation closed on 30 July 2021. We are now carefully analysing responses. We will make further amendments to the rules and guidance as appropriate. We aim to publish new rules and guidance in Autumn 2021.
Further Background – Reviewing our framework
Although we last amended the existing Rules and Guidance in 2018, our process for assessing applications for alterations to regulatory arrangements remains largely unchanged since it was first introduced in 2010. In this time, the LSB’s overall approach to regulation has evolved significantly.
The LSB has assessed around 150 applications and issued more than 165 exemptions since the application process began.
With this wealth of experience, alongside the evolution of the LSB’s approach to regulation over time, we consider now is a good time to review the process to ensure its purpose is clear and consistent with the exercise of our wider powers and specifically, that the process is appropriately focused on ensuring alterations are developed to promote the Regulatory Objectives.