Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill: Fairer Scotland Duty summary

1. Introduction

The link between legal services regulation and socioeconomic disadvantage

1.1 Socioeconomic disadvantage can often lead to a lack of access to legal services, which can make it difficult for individuals to navigate the legal system. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds may struggle to find and afford legal representation, which can result in the limitation of their legal rights and opportunities.

Legal services regulation can have an impact on socioeconomic disadvantage by affecting the availability and affordability of legal services. Some argue that current regulations limit the ability of non-lawyers to provide certain legal services, which can make it difficult for those without a law degree to provide affordable legal services to low-income individuals.

1.2 Additionally, regulation can impact the cost of legal services by requiring certain fees, qualifications, and standards. These costs can create barriers to legal representation for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In conclusion, socioeconomic disadvantage and legal services regulation are intertwined in complex ways. The regulation of legal services can impact the availability, affordability, and accessibility of legal representation, which can have a significant impact on those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Bill

1.3 The legislation will affect organisations involved in the Scottish legal services regulatory framework, such as: the Law Society, the Faculty, the ACA, the SLCC and the SLCC's Consumer Panel. The public will also be affected by changes made to legislation, particularly in relation to making a complaint against a solicitor or law firm. Legal services regulation has several impacts on equality, including:

• Access to justice: Legal services regulation can impact individuals' access to justice, particularly for those who are economically disadvantaged or have historically marginalised backgrounds. Regulation may introduce entry barriers, while regulation can be helpful in ensuring the provision of quality legal services in a way that meets the needs of individuals from different backgrounds.
• Diversity and inclusion: Legal services regulation also plays a critical role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. Regulation can encourage better recruitment and retention of individuals from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, help to implement policies to reduce communication barriers, and address practices that may be exclusionary.
• Professional standards: The quality and content of legal services. Legal services regulation is instrumental in setting professional standards, which would help ensure the quality and effectiveness of legal services and increase public confidence in the legal system.
• Monitoring and oversight: Legal services regulation typically involves monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure legal practitioners' accountability for ethical, professional, and competent delivery of legal services. This can help in identifying and correcting any discriminatory and unethical behaviour and provide a route to appropriate redress.

1.4 Overall, the impact of legal services regulation on equality is complex and varies depending on the context and the specific regulation involved. However, ensuring access to quality legal services, promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal profession, upholding high professional standards, and providing effective monitoring and oversight, all contribute towards greater equality in the provision of legal services.