Last amended by Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 in 2024. 2 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Legal Services Act 2007 reformed regulation of legal services in England and Wales. It created the Legal Services Board as oversight regulator, allowed Alternative Business Structures (ABS) enabling non-lawyers to own law firms, and defined reserved legal activities.
Key Points
- Legal Services Board (LSB) established as oversight regulator
- Regulatory objectives including protecting consumers and promoting competition
- Reserved legal activities: exercise of rights of audience, conduct of litigation, reserved instrument activities, probate, notarial, and oath administration
- Alternative Business Structures (ABS) — non-lawyers can own and invest in law firms
- Office for Legal Complaints — established the Legal Ombudsman
- Approved regulators — SRA, BSB, CILEx Regulation, etc. regulated by LSB
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2007 — The Legal Services Act 2007 (Commencement No. 6, Transitory, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2009
66 commencement (coming-into-force) effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2000 — The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Claims Management Activity) Order 2018
14 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2022 — Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022
10 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2023 — Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
4 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2024 — Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024
2 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Frequently asked questions
- What is the role of the Legal Services Board?
- The Legal Services Act 2007 created the Legal Services Board to act as the oversight regulator for legal services in England and Wales. Its duty is to promote regulatory objectives, including protecting consumers and promoting competition, by ensuring that approved regulators act in a way compatible with these goals.
- What are the reserved legal activities under the Act?
- The Act defines six reserved legal activities: exercise of rights of audience, conduct of litigation, reserved instrument activities, probate activities, notarial activities, and the administration of oaths. Only authorised or exempt persons may carry out these activities, with offences established for unauthorised practice.
- What are Alternative Business Structures (ABS)?
- Alternative Business Structures (ABS) allow non-lawyers to own or invest in providers of reserved legal services. The Act provides for licensed bodies to operate under this framework, with designated licensing authorities responsible for licensing and regulating these structures.
- How are complaints about legal services handled?
- The Act established the Office for Legal Complaints to administer an independent ombudsman scheme. This scheme, known as the Legal Ombudsman, allows for the resolution of consumer complaints about legal services and the making of determinations.
- Who regulates the legal professions in England and Wales?
- Approved regulators, such as the SRA, BSB, and CILEx Regulation, are responsible for regulating specific legal professions. They operate under the oversight of the Legal Services Board, which ensures they meet the statutory regulatory objectives.