It is disappointing that positions on the Legal Services Bill are becoming entrenched. Important legislation can only be improved by constructive input from stakeholders. The Legal Services Bill provides a blueprint for the regulation of the legal profession for the next generation, and we should all be working together to make sure we get it absolutely right.
The House of Lords made a number of important amendments, but none of them affected the underlying structure of the legislation. The Bar Council and the Law Society have supported that structure throughout. But the Government has given us no credit; it has simply opposed our suggested improvements to the detail – without even seeking to engage us in constructive debate.
