Deregulation causes concern

The Law Society president has attacked proposals for freelance solicitors, currently being considered by the Legal Services Board (LSB).

Christina Blacklaws criticised the proposals, made by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) last year in its ‘Looking to the Future’ consultation, as ‘misguided’ and based on ‘flawed premises’.

Urging the LSB to reject the SRA’s rule-change application, she warned the proposals ‘jeopardise the public interest and risk weakening the rule of law’. She said it was unrealistic to expect clients to appreciate the difference in insurance cover that would be involved. The LSB will make its decision in mid-September.

Under the proposals, solicitors could practise on a freelance basis rather than as a sole practice and also provide non-reserved legal services from unregulated entities. The Law Society says this would reduce client protections such as professional indemnity insurance, access to the compensation fund and legal professional privilege.

Citizens Advice, the Legal Services Consumer Panel and the Legal Ombudsman have also expressed concern about the proposals.