Legal Services Bill
The Scottish Government will introduce legislation to allow Scotland's legal profession to grow and compete, by removing outdated restrictions on business models while protecting the core values of the profession.
A strong and independent legal profession is part of the institutional framework of a modern democracy. The legal profession contributes to the Scottish economy with an estimated turnover of over £1 billion per annum.
The Legal Services Bill will be introduced into the Scottish Parliament at the end of September 2009.
The Bill will:
- Allow solicitors to secure external investment and business expertise and to combine with other professionals to offer legal services in new ways
- Remove restrictions on solicitors entering into business relationships with non-solicitors
- Allow our leading commercial law firms to compete effectively with other UK firms and internationally
- Create a robust regulatory framework in which the Scottish Government will appoint approved regulators who will regulate the new business structures
The proportionate and flexible approach will allow the Scottish legal profession to move quickly to respond to changes in the market.