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We recognise the vital role that high street law firms play in serving communities such as Scarborough and Whitby, and I greatly valued the meeting that we had, in which my hon. Friend raised a number of concerns in relation to the consultation that is currently being undertaken, in which we are engaging extensively with stakeholders to ensure that the potential impacts of the proposals—which are targeted, by the way, at access to justice—and all views are carefully considered.
We recognise the vital role that high street law firms play in serving communities such as Scarborough and Whitby, and I greatly valued the meeting that we had, in which my hon. Friend raised a number of concerns in relation to the consultation that is currently being undertaken, in which we are engaging extensively with stakeholders to ensure that the potential impacts of the proposals—which are targeted, by the way, at access to justice—and all views are carefully considered.
I recently met a high street law firm that has offices in Whitby, Scarborough and Filey. As a small company, it worries that the Government’s proposals to take a proportion of the interest earned on client accounts could lead it to shed jobs and, potentially, premises. Will the Minister outline what assessment she has made of the impact of these proposals on the viability of high street solicitors?
I recently met a high street law firm that has offices in Whitby, Scarborough and Filey. As a small company, it worries that the Government’s proposals to take a proportion of the interest earned on client accounts could lead it to shed jobs and, potentially, premises. Will the Minister outline what assessment she has made of the impact of these proposals on the viability of high street solicitors?
I recently met a high street law firm that has offices in Whitby, Scarborough and Filey. As a small company, it worries that the Government’s proposals to take a proportion of the interest earned on client accounts could lead it to shed jobs and, potentially, premises. Will the Minister outline what assessment she has made of the impact of these proposals on the viability of high street solicitors?
We recognise the vital role that high street law firms play in serving communities such as Scarborough and Whitby, and I greatly valued the meeting that we had, in which my hon. Friend raised a number of concerns in relation to the consultation that is currently being undertaken, in which we are engaging extensively with stakeholders to ensure that the potential impacts of the proposals—which are targeted, by the way, at access to justice—and all views are carefully considered.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the interface between the police and approved legal regulators in cases where each declines to investigate an allegation of document fraud by reference to the responsibility of the other.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the interface between the police and approved legal regulators in cases where each declines to investigate an allegation of document fraud by reference to the responsibility of the other.
The police are operationally independent of Government, and legal services regulators exercise their regulatory functions independently of Government. Decisions on whether to investigate suspected criminal offences are operational matters for the police, while legal services regulators determine how concerns within their regulatory remit are handled and set the guidance on reporting them. In relation to regulated solicitors in England and Wales, such regulatory guidance is therefore a matter for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
It is possible for certain regulatory investigations to take place alongside criminal investigations, as reflected, for example, in the SRA’s published guidance: https://referral.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/investigations-parallel/. Legal services regulators may have arrangements in place with law enforcement to support cooperation and share information where appropriate.
The Ministry of Justice has not made a specific assessment of the interface between the police and legal services regulators in the circumstances described. The Government expects allegations of misconduct and criminality to be appropriately considered by the bodies responsible, while recognising that it is for each body to determine whether investigation is warranted within its remit.
The Legal Services Board holds legal services regulators to account for their performance, including the overall effectiveness of their enforcement and operational delivery. If the evidence were to indicate a systemic gap in the effectiveness of the regulatory framework that resulted in allegations not being appropriately considered, the Government would consider this with the Legal Services Board and other relevant bodies.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance his Department provides on reporting alleged document fraud by regulated solicitors, including when both the police and the regulator decline to act; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure such allegations are not left without substantive examination by...
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance his Department provides on reporting alleged document fraud by regulated solicitors, including when both the police and the regulator decline to act; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure such allegations are not left without substantive examination by...
The police are operationally independent of Government, and legal services regulators exercise their regulatory functions independently of Government. Decisions on whether to investigate suspected criminal offences are operational matters for the police, while legal services regulators determine how concerns within their regulatory remit are handled and set the guidance on reporting them. In relation to regulated solicitors in England and Wales, such regulatory guidance is therefore a matter for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
It is possible for certain regulatory investigations to take place alongside criminal investigations, as reflected, for example, in the SRA’s published guidance: https://referral.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/investigations-parallel/. Legal services regulators may have arrangements in place with law enforcement to support cooperation and share information where appropriate.
The Ministry of Justice has not made a specific assessment of the interface between the police and legal services regulators in the circumstances described. The Government expects allegations of misconduct and criminality to be appropriately considered by the bodies responsible, while recognising that it is for each body to determine whether investigation is warranted within its remit.
The Legal Services Board holds legal services regulators to account for their performance, including the overall effectiveness of their enforcement and operational delivery. If the evidence were to indicate a systemic gap in the effectiveness of the regulatory framework that resulted in allegations not being appropriately considered, the Government would consider this with the Legal Services Board and other relevant bodies.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Solicitors Regulation Authority and (b) the Legal Services Board on support available for prospective solicitors impacted by the transition to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Solicitors Regulation Authority and (b) the Legal Services Board on support available for prospective solicitors impacted by the transition to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.
The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for setting the regulatory requirements for qualification as a solicitor, with oversight from the Legal Services Board (LSB).
The Ministry of Justice regularly engages with the SRA and the LSB on a variety of issues relating to the effective operation of the legal services regulatory framework. There is ongoing engagement with the SRA in relation to solicitor training and qualification. In future, we can raise the specific issue of solicitors impacted by the transition to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
The SRA publishes guidance for prospective solicitors affected by the transition to the SQE: SRA | Becoming a solicitor with the Legal Practice Course (transitional requirements) | Solicitors Regulation Authority.
My Lords, I should like to speak to Amendments 64B and 69AA in this group, which are in my name. They direct attention to matters arising from the provisions in Clause 14 that are of great concern to the Law Society and the Law Society of Scotland. I apologise to...
My Lords, I should like to speak to Amendments 64B and 69AA in this group, which are in my name. They direct attention to matters arising from the provisions in Clause 14 that are of great concern to the Law Society and the Law Society of Scotland. I apologise to...
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions his Department has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on an independent assessment process for trainee solicitors.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions his Department has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on an independent assessment process for trainee solicitors.
The Ministry of Justice regularly engages with the SRA on the effective operation of the legal services regulatory framework. This has included engagement with the SRA regarding the training and qualification requirements for solicitors and how these requirements are responding to changes in the legal profession.
The Ministry of Justice has not made a specific assessment of the adequacy of support available for trainee solicitors. It is for the SRA, as the relevant independent legal services regulator, to determine its approach to these matters, with oversight from the LSB. The SRA publishes annual reports on the operation of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, which provide assurance on the robustness of the assessment and set out improvements in delivery and candidate support. These are available here: https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/research-publications/topic/education-training/.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions his Department has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on the support available for trainee solicitors experiencing issues with their training providers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions his Department has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on the support available for trainee solicitors experiencing issues with their training providers.
The Ministry of Justice regularly engages with the SRA on the effective operation of the legal services regulatory framework. This has included engagement with the SRA regarding the training and qualification requirements for solicitors and how these requirements are responding to changes in the legal profession.
The Ministry of Justice has not made a specific assessment of the adequacy of support available for trainee solicitors. It is for the SRA, as the relevant independent legal services regulator, to determine its approach to these matters, with oversight from the LSB. The SRA publishes annual reports on the operation of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, which provide assurance on the robustness of the assessment and set out improvements in delivery and candidate support. These are available here: https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/research-publications/topic/education-training/.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the support available for trainee solicitors.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the support available for trainee solicitors.
The Ministry of Justice regularly engages with the SRA on the effective operation of the legal services regulatory framework. This has included engagement with the SRA regarding the training and qualification requirements for solicitors and how these requirements are responding to changes in the legal profession.
The Ministry of Justice has not made a specific assessment of the adequacy of support available for trainee solicitors. It is for the SRA, as the relevant independent legal services regulator, to determine its approach to these matters, with oversight from the LSB. The SRA publishes annual reports on the operation of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, which provide assurance on the robustness of the assessment and set out improvements in delivery and candidate support. These are available here: https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/research-publications/topic/education-training/.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions his Department has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on cultural issues within the profession.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions his Department has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on cultural issues within the profession.
The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales, with oversight from the Legal Services Board.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) regularly engages with the SRA on the operation of the legal services regulatory framework. I regularly meet the SRA and have challenged them to improve their performance in the context of law firm collapses, including Axiom Ince and SSB Law, and in the context of investigating Andrew Milne. In those discussions, I have underscored the importance of learning lessons, addressing risks to consumers, and ensuring public confidence in legal services regulation is protected.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the current regulatory structure for the professional conduct of solicitors and Law firms in England and Wales.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the current regulatory structure for the professional conduct of solicitors and Law firms in England and Wales.
The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales, with oversight from the Legal Services Board (LSB).
I meet regularly with the leadership of the LSB and SRA to hold them to account and discuss key areas of regulatory risk. Ministry of Justice (MoJ) officials regularly engage with the LSB and the SRA on the operation of the legal services regulatory framework, including matters relating to the SRA’s regulatory performance and public confidence in the regulation of solicitors and law firms. For example, there has been recent discussions relating to the failure of PM Law Limited. In those discussions, the MoJ has underscored the importance of learning lessons, addressing risks to consumers, and ensuring public confidence in legal services regulation is protected. While the MoJ has not made a separate formal assessment of the adequacy of the current regulatory structure for the professional conduct of solicitors and law firms, it keeps the effectiveness of the regulatory framework under review.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what conversations has his Department had with the Legal Services Board over the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s ability to regulate the professional conduct of solicitors and Law firms in England and Wales.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what conversations has his Department had with the Legal Services Board over the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s ability to regulate the professional conduct of solicitors and Law firms in England and Wales.
The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of Government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales, with oversight from the Legal Services Board (LSB).
I meet regularly with the leadership of the LSB and SRA to hold them to account and discuss key areas of regulatory risk. Ministry of Justice (MoJ) officials regularly engage with the LSB and the SRA on the operation of the legal services regulatory framework, including matters relating to the SRA’s regulatory performance and public confidence in the regulation of solicitors and law firms. For example, there has been recent discussions relating to the failure of PM Law Limited. In those discussions, the MoJ has underscored the importance of learning lessons, addressing risks to consumers, and ensuring public confidence in legal services regulation is protected. While the MoJ has not made a separate formal assessment of the adequacy of the current regulatory structure for the professional conduct of solicitors and law firms, it keeps the effectiveness of the regulatory framework under review.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of automatically passporting Solicitors Regulation Authority-regulated firms onto the proposed register for tax advisers as part of the implementation of Making Tax Digital.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of automatically passporting Solicitors Regulation Authority-regulated firms onto the proposed register for tax advisers as part of the implementation of Making Tax Digital.
The government is cracking down on bad tax advisers and is creating a fairer tax advice system to help businesses and individuals access reliable tax advice.
As part of that, tax adviser registration establishes a baseline standard for all tax advisers who interact with HMRC, and ensures that HMRC knows that firms who interact with them on behalf of taxpayers meet this standard.
Under a passporting approach, firms would still need to provide HMRC with core information about their business and relevant individuals so that HMRC knows who is interacting with it and can manage access appropriately. HMRC would in any case need to undertake its own checks using HMRC systems, which are designed to make this process straightforward and minimise additional burden.
A new, streamlined tax adviser registration service was a top ask from HMRC’s stakeholders, and the government has invested £36m to make the registration process quick and easy to complete. HMRC will automatically perform checks in the background, and those with an existing agent services account (ASA) do not need to register again.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of tax adviser registration requirements, in the context of Making Tax Digital, on solicitors.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of tax adviser registration requirements, in the context of Making Tax Digital, on solicitors.
The government has consulted extensively with stakeholders about the requirement for tax advisers, who interact with HMRC on behalf of their clients, to register with HMRC.
This includes the 2024 consultation ‘Raising standards in the tax advice market: strengthening the regulatory framework and improving registration’ and a technical consultation on draft legislation published in summer 2025.
HMRC published a tax information and impact note on GOV.UK. The note details how the measure is expected to affect businesses that provide professional tax services and interact with HMRC on behalf of their clients.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the number of legal aid public law solicitors on an individual's ability to bring Judicial Review proceedings within the current three-month time limit.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the number of legal aid public law solicitors on an individual's ability to bring Judicial Review proceedings within the current three-month time limit.
Under Civil Procedure Rules Part 54, judicial review claims must be filed promptly and no later than three months after the grounds for the claim first arose, subject to shorter statutory time limits in particular areas such as planning cases.
Claimants can apply to the Court for an extension of time when filing their claim form if they are unable to meet the three-month deadline, for example if they are having difficulties securing legal representation in that time. In determining whether to grant an extension of time, the Court will consider all the circumstances, including whether an adequate explanation has been given for the delay and whether an extension will cause substantial hardship or prejudice to other parties or be detrimental to good administration. Further information can be found in the Administrative Court Judicial Review Guide.
It is the Government’s view that the three-month time limit, with the possibility of extension at the Court’s discretion, provides the right balance between ensuring individuals have adequate opportunity to challenge the lawfulness of public decisions and providing legal certainty for those public decisions.
The scope of legal aid is set out under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO). Legal aid is available for legal services provided in relation to judicial review of an enactment, decision, act or omission subject to the application of an assessment of the merits of the case and an assessment of financial eligibility. Not all cases will qualify for legal aid.
Legal aid services for judicial reviews can be undertaken by providers holding a Public Law contract or a contract in the relevant underlying area of law e.g. housing or immigration. This means that the available supply of legal aid solicitors able to assist with a judicial review is not limited to those holding a Public Law contract.
Individuals can use the ‘Find a legal aid adviser’ search tool on GOV.UK to locate legal aid solicitors nearby using the following link: Find a Legal Aid Adviser or Family Mediator.
To ask the Solicitor General, how many trainee solicitors who undertook a training contract with the Government Legal Department left upon completion in each of the past five years.
To ask the Solicitor General, how many trainee solicitors who undertook a training contract with the Government Legal Department left upon completion in each of the past five years.
The Government Legal Department’s (GLD) Legal Trainee Scheme is a two‑year programme. Accordingly, the year of completion reflects cohorts who began their training contracts two years earlier.
The number of trainee solicitors who undertook a training contract with the GLD and left upon completion of the two‑year scheme in each of the past five years is as follows:
- Out of the 37 trainee solicitors that completed the scheme, 2 trainee solicitors left upon completion in 2021.
- Out of the 36 trainee solicitors that completed the scheme, 3 trainee solicitors left upon completion in 2022.
- Out of the 37 trainee solicitors that completed the scheme, 2 trainee solicitors left upon completion in 2023.
- Out of the 33 trainee solicitors that completed the scheme, 2 trainee solicitors left upon completion in 2024.
- Out of the 36 trainee solicitors that completed the scheme, 1 trainee solicitor left upon completion in 2025.