Stage 1 Report on the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill

PDF Published: Thursday 08 Feb 2024 (EHRCJS062024R1)

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- Membership changes
- Introduction
- Background
- The Roberton Review and Scottish Government Consultation
- Structure of the Bill
- Changes proposed by the Bill
- Consideration by the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
  - Written evidence
  - Oral evidence
- Consideration by other Committees
  - Consideration by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
  - Consideration by the Finance and Public Administration Committee
- Parliamentary questions
- Key issues in the Committee's consideration of the Bill
  - Regulatory objectives and professional principles
- Overarching regulatory framework
  - The case for independent regulation versus the existing framework
  - Category 1 and Category 2 regulators
  - Regulation of legal businesses entity regulation
- Complaints
  - Scottish Legal Complaints Commission remains as the single gateway
  - Hybrid complaints
  - Scottish Legal Complaints Commission to be renamed
  - Extension of the complaints system to investigate unregulated legal service providers
  - Commission permitted to initiate a complaint in its own name
  - Rules on monitoring and standard setting
- Appeals
- Broader complaints issues discussed (not provided in the Bill)
  - Mechanism to access information in a timely way
  - Compulsory mediation
  - Time bar
  - Request for additional powers for the Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal
  - Introduction of a complainer's fee
- Alternative Business Structures (ABSs)
- Regulating the term "lawyer"
- Powers to Scottish Government Ministers
  - The Scottish Government's response
    
    Correspondence
    
    Oral evidence
- General principles
  - Recommendations on the general principles of the Bill
Sources

Scottish Government. (2023, April 20). Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill [as introduced]. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/s6-bills/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill/introduced/bill-as-introduced.pdf

Scottish Government. (2023, April 20). Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/s6-bills/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill/introduced/financial-memorandum-accessible.pdf

Scottish Government. (2023, April 20). Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill Policy Memorandum. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/s6-bills/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill/introduced/policy-memorandum-accessible.pdf

Scottish Parliament. (2023, April). Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill homepage. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill

Evans, A. (2023, August 10). SPICe Briefing - Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill. Retrieved from https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/ResearchBriefings/Report/2023/8/10/c88c0bcb-96fc-4c85-a1c4-a073773bd46f

Roberton, E.A. (2018, October). Fit for the Future - Report of the Independent Review of Legal Services Regulation in Scotland. Retrieved from https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20191009234128mp_/https:/www2.gov.scot/Resource/0054/00542583.pdf

Scottish Government. (2019, June 25). Independent review of legal services regulation in Scotland: our response. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-response-fit-future-report-independent-review-legal-services-regulation-scotland/

Scottish Government. (2021, October 1). Legal services regulation reform: consultation. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/legal-services-regulation-reform-scotland-consultation/

Scottish Government. (2022, July 8). Legal services regulation reform: consultation analysis. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/legal-services-regulation-reform-scotland-consultation-analysis/

Scottish Government. (2022, December 22). Legal services regulation reform - consultation analysis: Scottish Government response. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/legal-services-regulation-reform-scotland-scottish-government-response-findings-consultation-analysis-report/pages/1/

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill - your views. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill - your views published responses. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/consultation/published_select_respondent

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). Senators of the College of Justice written response to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill call for evidence. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/consultation/view_respondent?sort=excerpt&order=ascending&uuId=319392044

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). Law Society of Scotland written response to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill call for evidence. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/consultation/view_respondent?sort=excerpt&order=ascending&uuId=749078974

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). Faculty of Advocates written response to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill call for evidence. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/consultation/view_respondent?sort=excerpt&order=ascending&uuId=471893074

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). International Bar Association written response to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill call for evidence. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/consultation/view_respondent?sort=excerpt&order=ascending&uuId=377687700

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). Chris Kenny's written response to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill call for evidence. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/consultation/view_respondent?sort=excerpt&order=ascending&uuId=347683211

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). Professor Stephen Mayson's written response to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill call for evidence. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/consultation/view_respondent?sort=excerpt&order=ascending&uuId=10281480

Mayson, P.S. (2020). Independent Review of Legal Services Regulation: reforming legal services - regulation beyond the echo chambers. Retrieved from https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ethics-law/publications/2018/sep/independent-review-legal-services-regulation [accessed 26 January 2024]

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). Brian Inkster's written response to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill call for evidence. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/consultation/view_respondent?sort=excerpt&order=ascending&uuId=368043651

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). Naeema Sajid's written response to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill call for evidence. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/consultation/view_respondent?sort=excerpt&order=ascending&uuId=542286144

Scottish Parliament. (2023, October 3). Official Report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EHRCJ-03-10-2023?meeting=15487

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 7). Official Report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EHRCJ-07-11-2023?meeting=15528

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 14). Official Report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EHRCJ-14-11-2023?meeting=15552

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 21). Official Report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EHRCJ-21-11-2023?meeting=15561

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 28). Official Report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EHRCJ-28-11-2023?meeting=15581

Scottish Parliament. (2023, December 5). Official Report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EHRCJ-05-12-2023?meeting=15592

Scottish Parliament. (2023, October 24). Official Report of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/DPLR-24-10-2023?meeting=15500

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 7). Official Report of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/DPLR-07-11-2023?meeting=15527

Scottish Government. (2023, November 16). Letter from the Minister for Victims and Community Safety. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-delegated-powers-and-law-reform-committee/correspondence/2023/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill-letter-from-the-scottish-government

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 9). Letter to the Lord President of the Court of Session from the Convener of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-delegated-powers-and-law-reform-committee/correspondence/2023/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 17). Letter from the Lord President of the Court of Session to the Convener of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-delegated-powers-and-law-reform-committee/correspondence/2023/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill-letter-from-the-lord-president

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 20). Letter from the Law Society of Scotland to the Convener of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-delegated-powers-and-law-reform-committee/correspondence/2023/law-society-of-scotland-letter-on-regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 23). Delegated powers in the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1. Retrieved from https://digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/Report/DPLR/2023/11/23/abb46048-1e05-4cae-a780-05d00f42cfd7#3a85b843-d2e4-41bc-95de-8e4c15887d75.dita

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 15). Question reference: S6O-02726 - To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the plans for legal services regulation reform will meet the original objectives of the Roberton Review regarding consumer complaints. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-15-11-2023?meeting=15545&iob=132651#132651

UK Government. (2010, November 9). Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2010/16/contents [accessed 26 January 2024]

Scottish Government. (2020). Freedom of Information International Review: scope of bodies included. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/freedom-information-international-review-scope-bodies-included/

UK Government. (2007, January 19). Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2007/5/introduction [accessed 26 January 2024]

Scottish Parliament. (2023). Letter from the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission to the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-equalities-human-rights-and-civil-justice-committee/correspondence/2023/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill-1-december-2023

Scottish Parliament. (2023, August). Professor Roderick Paisley, University of Aberdeen and Professor Andrew Steven, University of Edinburgh written response to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill call for evidence. Retrieved from https://yourviews.parliament.scot/ehrcj/regulation-of-legal-services-bill/consultation/view_respondent?show_all_questions=0&sort=excerpt&order=ascending&_q__text=university&uuId=338206551

Scottish Government. (2023, September 27). Letter from the Minister for Victims and Community Safety to the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-equalities-human-rights-and-civil-justice-committee/correspondence/2023/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill-27-september-2023

Scottish Parliament. (2023, October 6). Letter to the Minister for Victims and Community Safety from the Deputy Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-equalities-human-rights-and-civil-justice-committee/correspondence/2023/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill-6-october-2023

Scottish Government. (2023, October 27). Letter from the Minister for Victims and Community Safety to the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-equalities-human-rights-and-civil-justice-committee/correspondence/2023/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill

Scottish Parliament. (2023, November 24). Letter to the Minister for Victims and Community Safety from the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-equalities-human-rights-and-civil-justice-committee/correspondence/2023/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill-24-november-2023

Scottish Government. (2023, November 29). Letter from the Minister for Victims and Community Safety to the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-equalities-human-rights-and-civil-justice-committee/correspondence/2023/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill-29-november-2023

Scottish Parliament. (2024, January 19). Letter from the Lord President of the Court of Session to the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-equalities-human-rights-and-civil-justice-committee/correspondence/2024/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill-lord-presidents-office-19-january--2024

Scottish Parliament. (2024, January 22). Letter from the Minister for Victims and Community Safety to the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/current-and-previous-committees/session-6-equalities-human-rights-and-civil-justice-committee/correspondence/2024/regulation-of-legal-services-scotland-bill-22-january-2024

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