Latest news

In this section you will find the latest news from the Legal Services Board.

Date Title Description
3 September 2010 LSB publish Complaints and data collection workshop report On 29 July 2010 the LSB held a workshop aimed to emphasise the role of complaints and data collection in regulation and to facilitate a continued dialogue between stakeholders to identify and coordinate some of the key data sources available to Approved Regulators.
24 August 2010 ILEX Applications received by LSB Applications received from Institute of Legal Executives to extend their reserved legal activities
23 August 2010 LSB publishes next stage consultation on appeals mechanisms around ABS The LSB is consulting on proposals to establish the appeals mechanism on decisions of Licensing Authorities under the ABS framework
10 August 2010 LSB welcomes publication of QAA consultation New consultation paper launched on Quality Assurance for Advocates scheme
6 August 2010 Workshop on consumers experience of will-writing services LSB publishes emerging thinking from will-writing workshop
4 August 2010 LSB requests risk management information from Approved Regulators Chief Executive writes to all Approved Regulators to request information on their approach to the management of regulatory risk
2 August 2010 LSB makes further SRA rule approval LSB approves SRA arrangements for 2010 Professional Indemnity Insurance
20 July 2010 LSB makes request for advice on quality The Legal Services Consumer Panel has been formally asked to advise on consumer perspectives on quality in legal services
19 July 2010 LSB approves SRA rule changes SRA application for approval of changes relating to the new fee structure is granted
08 July 2010 LSB publish levy consultation The LSB has today published a consultation on proposals for the levy on Approved Regulators to recoup the ongoing running costs for the LSB and Legal Ombudsman. The consultation closes on Wednesday 29 September 2010.
11 June 2010 LSB publishes lessons learned review of rule approval process Following the first raft of applications, the LSB has completed a review of its process for approving changes to the regulatory arrangements of Approved Regulators.
01 June 2010 The Future of Legal Services Conference The LSB invites colleagues to attend a conference bringing together academics and commentators to discuss the impact of the reform programme in the sector to date, as well as next steps for changes in the delivery of legal services in England and Wales.
26 May 2010 LSB receives advice of Consumer Panel on referral fees The Legal Services Board has formally received the advice of the Legal Services Consumer Panel, chaired by Dianne Hayter, on referral fees and arrangements.
25 May 2010 LSB publishes Equality Scheme This sets out how the LSB embeds equality and diversity in its day-to-day working, through functions, activities and policies, and through the recruitment of staff. This is to ensure that, in the areas for which we have a responsibility, we act as a model of good practice in bringing about fairness, equality and diversity.
21 May 2010 / 21 Mai, 2010 LSB’s Welsh Language Scheme / Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg yr LSB The LSB have developed the attached Welsh Language Scheme in line with the principles of the Welsh Language Act (1993). The Scheme sets out our policies in relation to the provision of services in Welsh whilst reflecting the nature and scope of our activities.

Mae’r LSB wedi datblygu’r Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg a atodir yn unol ag egwyddorion Deddf yr Iaith Gymraeg (1993). Mae’r Cynllun yn sefydlu ein polisïau parthed y ddarpariaeth o wasanaethau yn Gymraeg wrth adlewyrchu natur a chwmpas ein gweithgareddau.
17 May 2010 LSB publishes economic research on referral arrangements First component of evidence base around referral fees is released by the LSB, to be followed up with further evidence throughout the summer.
11 May 2010 LSB grants two further rule changes for ARs The Legal Services Board has granted two further applications for alterations to the Regulatory Arrangements of Approved Regulators.
07 May 2010 LSB letter to the Joint Advocacy Group The LSB has issued an open letter to the Joint Advocacy Group (JAG) about the development of a scheme for the Quality Assurance of Advocates (QAA), for which the LSB is project sponsor. The JAG consists of the Bar Standards Board, Ilex Professional Standards Ltd and the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The letter sets out seven key principles for the JAG to consider as it develops the scheme.
06 May 2010 LSB letter to the Legal Complaints Service about performance oversight The Legal Services Board has written to the Legal Complaints Service to formally set out its regulatory oversight interest in the performance of the Legal Complaints Service as it approaches close-down.
06 April 2010 LSB publishes Business Plan for 2010/11 The Board has released its Business Plan for 2010/11 following consultation with partners
01 April 2010 LSB grants three further rule changes for ARs The Legal Services Board has granted three further applications for alterations to the Regulatory Arrangements of Approved Regulators
26 March 2010 Next stage guidance on ABS released The Legal Service Board has today released new guidance on the structure of the licensing regime for Alternative Business Structures.
26 March 2010 LSB approves BSB application on LDPs The Legal Services Board has granted the Bar Standards Board application for approval of amendments to the Bar Code of Conduct in respect of Legal Disciplinary Practices. The Decision Notice can be found here.
03 February 2010 LSB issues open letter on Section 69 orders (pdf, 103kb) On 03 February 2010, the Legal Services Board issued an open letter seeking views on the approach it should take to modifying the functions of approved regulators or licensing authorities through S. 69 Orders. Comments are welcomed by 31 March 2010.
18 January 2010 LSB sharpens focus on diversity in the profession LSB Chief Executive accepts chairmanship of Gateways to the Professions Collaborative Forum sub-group.
05 January 2010 LSB announces appointees for legal support The LSB recently issued a tender for external support for its in-house legal function and is today pleased to announce appointments.
31 December 2009 Exemption Direction 3 Alterations relating to CIPA and ITMA arrangements – transitional (Paragraph 19(3) and (4) of Schedule 4 direction). LSB directs the exemption from the requirement for LSB approval regulations made by ITMA in relation to section 83A Trade Marks Act 1994 and by CIPA in accordance with Section 275A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998 and submitted prior to 1 January. This is to facilitate the transition from ownership of the relevant registers from the Intellectual Property Office to ITMA and CIPA on 1st January 2010. This direction is to be deemed made on and to be effective from 1 January 2010.
30 December 2009 Exemption Direction 1 Alterations falling below a de minimus line (Paragraph 19(3) and (4) of Schedule 4 direction). LSB directs the exemption from the requirement for LSB approval for the types of alterations to Approved Regulators’ Regulatory Arrangements that are listed within the direction. These changes are considered to fall below a de minimus line. This direction is to be deemed made on and to be effective from 1 January 2010.
30 December 2009 Exemption Direction 2 Alterations relating to compliance with the Internal Governance Rules (Paragraph 19(3) and (4) of Schedule 4 direction). LSB directs the exemption from the requirement for LSB approval for alterations to Approved Regulators’ Regulatory Arrangements that are made in order to achieve compliance with the Internal Governance Rules, that have been subject to non-compliance notification requirements and that have been agreed by the LSB as part of on-going Section 30 implementation arrangements. This direction is to be deemed made on and to be effective from 1 January 2010.
29 December 2009 The LSB wrote an open letter to approved regulators setting out next steps in relation to Implementing the Internal Governance and Practising Fee Rules The next steps in relation to Implementing the Internal Governance and Practising Fee Rules.
29 December 2009 Consumer research LSB releases results of December 2009 consumer research.
10 December 2009 The LSB wrote to all Approved Regulators setting out the next steps in the process for rule changes Alterations to Regulatory Arrangements – Final rules and next steps.
09 December 2009 The Legal Services Board has reacted to the announcements on the set up process for the Office for Legal Complaints The Legal Services Board has reacted to the announcements on the set up process for the Office for Legal Complaints.
02 December 2009 LSB letter to Approved Regulators on first tier complaints On 30 November 2009 the Legal Services Board sent a letter to all Approved Regulators (ARs) regulatory bodies regarding complaints handling by providers of legal services (also known as ‘first-tier’ or  'in-house’ complaints handling).
29 September 2009 LSB 2009-2011- Request for applications for appointment to panel (pdf, 275kb)

Framework agreement for procurement of legal services (pdf, 260kb)		 LSB issues tender for the provision of supplementary legal services.
28 April 2009 Widening access to the legal market On 14 May 2009, David Edmonds will set out plans to open up the legal services market to new entrants and new ways of doing business.
23 April 2009 LSB recruitment The LSB is recruiting for a variety of roles. Full details can be found on the Work for us page
01 January 2009 Legal Services Board is launched (pdf, 74kb) On 1 January 2009 the Legal Services Board (LSB) became fully constituted with the formal appointment of Chris Kenny as its inaugural Chief Executive.