header-logo header-logo

16 July 2025
Issue: 8125 / Categories: Legal News , Legal services , Consumer , Fees
printer mail-detail

Improve affordability by making unbundling a viable option

Unbundled legal services are rising in popularity, according to Legal Services Consumer Panel research

The panel’s 2025 Tracker Survey, published last week, found 21% of consumers opted for unbundled services last year compared to 18% who did so in 2024. Unbundling was most prevalent in probate (39% of clients), trademarks (36%), employment disputes (35%) and immigration matters (34%).

Only one in ten consumers was charged an hourly rate by their lawyer, while 57% paid a fixed fee.

Tom Hayhoe, chair of the panel, which provides independent advice to the Legal Services Board, said: ‘Innovative and affordable delivery models are no longer optional; they are essential to ensuring everyone can access a level playing field, not just those who can foot the bill. We applaud the Law Society’s actions to understand the risks in unbundling legal services but call on regulators to play their part in ensuring unbundling is a viable option for consumers.’

Issue: 8125 / Categories: Legal News , Legal services , Consumer , Fees
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Maryam Syed KC, Church Court Chambers

NLJ Career Profile: Maryam Syed KC, Church Court Chambers

From childhood dreams of the Bar to some of the country's most challenging cases, Maryam Syed KC explains why she has never stopped standing up for others

DAC Beachcroft—Richard Breavington, Rachel Ford & Daniel Guilfoyle

DAC Beachcroft—Richard Breavington, Rachel Ford & Daniel Guilfoyle

DAC Beachcroft significantly expands Cyber team, hiring three Cyber partners

Browne Jacobson—Professor Clive Kay

Browne Jacobson—Professor Clive Kay

Browne Jacobson appoints senior healthcare leader Professor Clive Kay as strategic adviser

NEWS
As family justice moves further away from the courtroom, collaborative law is emerging as an increasingly important route to resolving separation disputes
A busy period for employment law is producing important lessons for employers, employees and tribunals alike
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

How forcefully can a litigant criticise a public authority before robust advocacy crosses the line into unreasonable conduct? 
back-to-top-scroll