Legal Services
Published 25 November 2016
© Crown copyright 2016
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(1) We recommended that the frontline regulators of legal services in England and Wales deliver a step change in the quality of information available upfront from legal services providers.
(2) We also recommended that the regulators supported consumers by developing the presentation of LegalChoices.org.uk and actively promoting it.
All eight frontline regulators formed an implementation Group in early 2017, facilitated by the CMA. Each regulator published an action plan in Summer 2017 outlining how they would seek to improve the quality of information. The regulators have agreed a funding package to develop and promote the LegalChoices website and have started to redevelop its content.
The four largest frontline regulators of legal services for individuals (Solicitors Regulation Authority, Bar Standards Board, Council for Licenced Conveyancers and CILExReg) held public consultations in Winter 2017. The outcomes of these consultations and any proposed rule changes are expected to be published in Summer 2018, with any changes likely to come into effect by early 2019.
The Legal Services Board has supported the CMA’s recommendations as part of its oversight role and has published assessments of the regulators’ action plans and will monitor impact of changes in the market.