The Clementi Review published today has recommended a series of regulatory reforms to UK legal services, which would bring an end to inconsistencies within the industry.
Sir David Clementi was commissioned to write the report by Lord Falconer in July. It identifies three key problem areas within the legal industry. They are:
·The current regulatory framework has insufficient regard for consumer's interest
·Current complaints system is inefficient. There are concerns about lawyers examining complaints about other lawyers
·Current business structures are restrictive and are resistant to reform.
Clementi sets out six key recommendations to combat problem areas.
It said:
·New regulator – the Legal Services Board should be established to oversee frontline bodies such as Law Society and Bar Council
·Legal Services Board should have statutory objectives
·The board should have strong regulatory powers
·Front line bodies should separate regulatory and representative functions
·The Office for Legal Complaints should be established to handle consumer complaints in respect of all front line bodies subject to oversight by the Legal Services Board
·Legal disciplinary practices should be established as an alternative business structure. Under these practices lawyers from different professional bodies should work together on an equal footing
