In its business plan for 2025/26, published, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has outlined its priorities, aimed at improving outcomes for consumers and the public.
These priorities include work to improve ethical standards within the profession, as well as work to protect the public from risks emerging from market developments. Alongside its policy work, the LSB will also focus on its approach to regulatory oversight, considering how to reduce burdens on regulators performing well while concentrating its resources on poorer performers. Catherine Brown, interim Chair of the LSB, said:
“This plan will help us to target those areas where we can make the greatest difference for consumers. This is essential for maintaining public trust and confidence in legal services, which underpin the sector’s significant contribution to the UK economy.
I would like to thank everyone who responded to these proposals when we took them to consultation. The result is a business plan that is focussed, evidence-based and aligned with the needs of consumers of legal services.
As we approach the midway point of the ten-year Reshaping Legal Services strategy, it is also fitting that we use this opportunity make sure that regulation is maintaining standards, promoting confidence and facilitating economic growth.”
Five policy priorities
The LSB’s five priority policy projects are as follows:
- Professional ethics and the rule of law – strengthening ethical standards to maintain public trust in legal professionals;
- Equality, diversity and inclusion – dismantling barriers to create a profession that truly reflects the society it serves;
- Access to justice – addressing unmet legal needs, particularly for those facing disadvantage;
- Disciplinary and enforcement – establishing clear principles for transparent, proportionate, and consistent processes;
- Consumer protection – responding to emerging risks from market changes while enabling technological innovation to thrive for the benefit of consumers.
The budget for the year has been reduced following public consultation, and is now set at £5.873m, an increase of 11% on the 2024/25 budget. This corresponds to £3.05 added to each authorised person’s practising fee.
