SRA wants reform to proceed “at pace”

Paul Philip, chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority urged the need to reform “at pace”, saying regulation had to be in the public interest. “Around two thirds of the public think that professional legal services are simply too expensive, and small businesses agree.

“And fewer than one in ten people experiencing legal problems instruct a solicitor or barrister for their legal needs. This can’t really be acceptable. Legal services are simply unaffordable for the vast majority of the public and the small businesses that form the backbone of our economy. And the public purse does not have the resources to close that price gap.”

This is not the time to slow down regulatory reforms that will “support a healthy, legal market, inject more competition and innovation, provide opportunities for solicitors and improve access to law”.