SLCC welcomes the opportunity for future-focused reform of legal services regulation
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission has welcomed the publication today of a Scottish Government consultation on Legal Services Regulation Reform in Scotland.
Chief Executive Neil Stevenson commented, “Five years ago our Reimagine Regulation paper set out proposals for future-focused reform of the system of legal services regulation, complaints and redress in Scotland. Today we are pleased to see the next step in that journey, with proposals for reform – including the recommendations of the Scottish Government commissioned independent review – published for consultation.
“We believe there is a real opportunity to make regulation more targeted, more effective and more efficient. And polling has shown that the public want to see a system that is independent, accountable and transparent. The time has come for fundamental reform to create a future-proofed regulatory system – one that is fit for today’s changing legal services landscape, and able to adapt to future challenges and opportunities.
“Reforming the regulation of legal services could have real benefits for all. For the legal sector it should mean more proportionate regulation, based on the work they do and the risk it carries for the public interest and for consumers. For people needing to access legal services it should provide greater confidence in doing so, knowing that the protections they expect are in place.
“Most importantly, it should ensure that regulation delivers for the public good, reflecting the vital role that legal services play in our society.
“We look forward to contributing to this consultation, and to playing our part in the move towards a system of modern, agile legal regulation fit for 21st century Scotland.”
The consultation can be viewed at: https://consult.gov.scot/justice/legal-services-regulation-reform-in-scotland/