Law Society of Scotland
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Society launches consultation on ABS regulation

The Law Society of Scotland has published a consultation on regulatory principles which could apply to Licensed Legal Services Providers as a result of the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill being passed.

The Society, which has previously stated its aim to apply for approved regulator status when the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill becomes law, has invited its members to comment on the types of business models which could be set up and its initial proposals for a regulatory framework of any new legal services providers.

The consultation’s responses will help the Society develop its policy paper on regulating new legal services providers. The policy paper will then be placed before the AGM in May for its members’ approval.

Ian Smart, president of the Society said: “It is vital that we are thinking and planning ahead for alternative business structures in Scotland. In regulating them, the Society would have to ensure that there is no compromise to either client protection or professional principle and it’s important for us to encourage as much input as possible from the profession itself at this stage to be able to formulate how that can best be done.

"I hope that our members take the time to respond to this consultation before its close on 16 April 2010."

He added: “The Society has also organised a series of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill roadshows which will be held at various venues across the country in March to inform them about progress on the Bill and issues we have raised about it with the Government and Justice Committee. The events will also allow members to tell us their views, ask questions and make sure they can play their part in how things progress.”

The Edinburgh and Glasgow events are now fully booked. Places are available at the remaining events in Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Dumfries. For further details see: ABS Roadshow

For further information about ABSs and the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill see the Society’s website: http://www.lawscot.org.uk/Members_Information/abs/