The government has launched a review of the Legal Services Board (LSB) to ensure current regulatory arrangements are effective and do not duplicate initiatives of frontline regulators.
The review was announced by Sarah Sackman, minister of state for justice (pictured), in a written statement on Tuesday.
“It is best practice for departments to regularly review their public bodies to provide assurance to both government and the public that these bodies are operating effectively, and that their functions remain useful and necessary,” the minister wrote.
“In the case of legal services, this assurance is especially significant because the sector’s regulatory framework must remain demonstrably independent of government, a key pillar of the rule of law, and of public confidence in our justice system.”
The last review of the LSB was completed in 2017 and there have been significant developments in the legal sector since, Sackman pointed out. She added:
“These include the introduction of a new regulatory objective, concerns around professional ethics within the sector, as well as market developments – most notably, the rapid increase in the use of lawtech. Given these changes, it is timely and appropriate to review how the work of the LSB is delivered.”
The review will consider the LSB’s statutory remit, its strategic clarity, governance and accountability arrangements, and the LSB’s current capabilities. It will also assess how the LSB and the Ministry of Justice should work together to deliver value for money and ensure sufficient focus is maintained on the evolving priorities of legal services consumers and the wider sector.
Richard Lloyd, chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, will lead the review. The experienced senior executive and non-executive director has a strong track record of chairing high-profile regulatory bodies ad committees.
“Richard has substantial experience of transforming the effectiveness of a wide range of organisations, improving operational delivery in public and private sector services,” Sackman said.
Lloyd is independent from the Ministry of Justice and will provide objective analysis of the LSB.
The Law Society of England and Wales has welcomed the review. Chief executive officer Ian Jeffery said:
“It is an opportunity to speak up for proportionate risk-based regulation that protects consumers and helps the legal sector grow.
“The Law Society will be responding to the call for evidence in full on behalf of our members.”
A call for evidence has been issued to gather feedback and views, which is open now until 9th March.
Open call for evidence: Public Bodies Review of the Legal Services Board
Image credit: Sarah Sackman ©House of Commons
