HISTORY
In July 2016 we published our original proposals for reform: Reimagine Regulation - SLCC priorities for a consultation on legal services regulation. This set out six key priority areas we believed the government should consult on in delivering their commitment to launch a 'consultation to review legal regulation'. The changes would benefit both consumers and lawyers, by:
1. Unravelling the current complex complaints maze
2. Reducing statutory detail that focuses on processes, not outcomes for people
3. Ensuring that when redress is awarded the client receives it
4. Targeting risk, and not seeing all legal services as the same
5. Embedding the consumer principles
6. Learning from complaints and data to improve future outcomes
The original papers published in July 2016:
Reimagine Regulation - SLCC priorities for a consultation on legal services regulation (PDF, 960 KB)
Reimagine Regulation - SLCC appendices to our main paper (PDF, 1028 KB)
Our press release launching the papers
We were delighted that this paper was acknowledged by the independent review of the regulation of legal services, which we publicly welcomed when it was established in April 2017. Details are the review are available on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/About/Review/Regulation-Legal-Services
To assist the first meeting of the review we created a two page summary of our original documents, update in light of feedback we had received since publication and new issues which had become visible in the current model.
Reimagine Regulation - Summary for legal services regulation review - May 2017 (PDF, 307KB)
We recognise that the organisations in the sector, and individuals at all levels, work hard to make the current arrangements work, and that Scotland has a well-respected legal profession. There are many strengths to build on, but these should not distract from tackling areas which can be improved.
