The DCA has published a white paper The Future of Legal Services: Putting the Consumer First, setting out proposals for the regulatory reform of legal services in England and Wales:
- The Legal Services Board will provide consistent and independent oversight of “front-line” professional bodies such as the Law Society and Bar Council and promote public and consumer interests.
- The Office for Legal Complaints will be a new, single, independent complaints body subject to oversight by the Legal Services Board.
- Solicitors and barristers will be able to work together in law practices on an equal footing. Non-lawyers will be allowed to work as managers of legal practices, and also to participate in such practices as owners and investors.