LSB unhappy that IBA says ‘creeping government control’

The Legal Services Board has hit back at the International Bar Association for citing it as an example of creeping government control of the legal profession. 

International Bar Association task force said the LSB, set up under the Legal Services Act, was an example of ‘external involvement in the regulatory scheme’.  ‘Where there is some executive control over the regulatory process the risk of infringements on lawyers’ professional independence is greater.’

The LSB has called for the statement to be removed from the report.

LSB’s chief executive, Neil Buckley says the references to the board are ‘inaccurate’, specifically the implication that it is controlled by the government. 

Buckley states: ‘No decision made by the LSB and its executive has ever been at the “control”, behest of or subject to any improper influence whatsoever by the government.’