updated on 14 April 2021
The legal sector is set for another decade of change, with increased consumer protection and provision high up the agenda in the Legal Service Board’s (LSB) new 10-year strategy.
The LSB is the ‘super-regulator’ tasked with overseeing the work of the other legal regulators, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board. As Legal Futures reports, the LSB’s vision for 2031 and accompanying 2021-22 business plan were criticised as failing to take into account the impact of the pandemic by both the Law Society and Bar Council, the solicitors’ and barristers’ representative bodies, but the final plans changed little in response.
Among the LSB’s 10-year goals are reducing unmet legal needs and greater equality in outcome and experience among those using legal services. Dr Helen Phillips, chair of the LSB, said: “We must seize this moment to drive forward a strategy that promotes the public interest, supports competition and growth, and encourages diversity and inclusion. The LSB cannot do this alone – everyone in the sector must work together to pursue our shared interests.”