Regulation of legal personnel

• What is regulation?

  Where the actions of individuals or a collective are governed by an authorised organisation
• Why is regulation of the legal profession vital?

  To ensure a safe, secure and responsible environment for lawyers and their clients
• What could happen if there was no specific regulation on legal personnel?

  Lawyers could potentially act unprofessionally/negligently without recourse and their clients would have little/no redress against them
• What statute is the regulation of legal personnel mainly governed by?

  Legal Services Act 2007
• What is the client liability for barristers?

  No contractual liability but can be sued for negligence (Hall v Simons)
• What is the client liability for solicitors?

  Contractual liability and can be sued for negligence (White v Jones)
• What is the client liability for legal executives?

  Contractual liability and can be sued for negligence
• Who is the Legal Services Board?

  A body who oversees the regulation of lawyers in England and Wales - it operates as a second check to the regulatory bodies
• What statute was the Legal Services Board created under?

  The Legal Services Act 2007
• What does the Legal Services Board suggest and why?

  Reform and recommendations to modernise the legal services market
• What is the Legal Ombudsman?

  An independent scheme that resolves complaints about lawyers from clients in a fair and effective way
• When might a case be referred to the Legal Ombudsman?

  Where a dispute between client and lawyer cannot be resolved between themselves and the relevant regulatory body
• What does the Legal Ombudsman help do?

  Drive improvements to legal services