Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill
This Bill updates the regulation of legal services in Scotland and provides for a modernised regulatory framework.
The Bill is at Stage 2
Contents
Stage 1 - General principles
Committees examine the Bill and gather views. They produce reports before MSPs debate the Bill in the Chamber. MSPs then decide on the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
The Bill ended Stage 1 on 22 February 2024
Committee Examination
The lead committee for this Bill is the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Submit your views
The Committee launched its call for views on the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill on 31 May 2023.
The consultation closed on 9 August 2023.
Timetable
Timetable for Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee consideration of the Bill at Stage 1
On 14 June 2023, Parliament agreed motion S6M-09502, that consideration of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 be completed by 15 December 2023.
On 4 October 2023, Parliament agreed motion S6M-10731, that consideration of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 be extended to 23 February 2024.
3 October 2023 evidence session
- Vicky Crichton, Secretariat, Scottish Legal Complaints Commission Consumer Panel
- Sharon Horwitz, Legal Director, Competition and Markets Authority
- Tracey Reilly, Head of Consumer Markets, Consumer Scotland
- Dr Marsha Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Women's Aid
7 November 2023 evidence session
- Brian Inkster, CEO, Inksters Solicitors
- Chris Kenny, CEO, Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (former Chief Executive of the Legal Services Board of England and Wales)
- Professor Stephen Mayson, University College London
- Naeema Yaqoob Sajid, Solicitor and Director, Diversity+
14 November 2023 evidence session
- Rosemary Agnew, Ombudsman, Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
- Colin Bell, Chair, Scottish Solicitor's Discipline Tribunal
- Neil Stevenson, Chief Executive, Scottish Legal Complaints Commission
21 November 2023 evidence session
- Bill Alexander, Association of Construction Attorneys
- Roddy Dunlop KC, Dean, Faculty of Advocates
- Morag Ross KC, Faculty of Advocates
- Rachel Wood, Executive Director of Regulation, Law Society of Scotland
- David Gordon, Lay Convener, Regulatory Committee, Law Society of Scotland
- Darren Murdoch, President, Scottish Law Agents' Society
- Andrew Stevenson, Secretary, Scottish Law Agents' Society
28 November 2023 evidence session
Panel 1
- The Right Honourable Lady Dorrian, Lord Justice Clerk, Senator of the College of Justice
- The Honourable Lord Ericht, Senator of the College of Justice
Panel 2
- Esther Roberton, author of Fit for the Future, report of the Independent Review of Legal Services Regulation in Scotland
5 December 2023 evidence session
- Siobhian Brown MSP, Minister for Victims and Community Safety
23 January 2024
- First consideration of draft report
6 February 2024
- Second consideration of draft report
8 February 2024
- Publication of Stage 1 report
22 February 2024
- Stage 1 Chamber Debate
23 February 2024
- Stage 1 deadline
Who spoke to the lead committee in the Parliament
MSPs met with people in committee meetings to discuss what the Bill will do.
Minutes of 5 September 2023 (in private)
Minutes of 3 October 2023
Minutes of 7 November 2023
Minutes of 14 November 2023
Minutes of 21 November 2023
Minutes of 28 November 2023
Minutes of 5 December 2023
Minutes of 12 December 2023 (in private)
Minutes of 23 January 2024 (in private)
Minutes of 6 February 2024 (in private)
Meeting on 3 October 2023
Correspondence
Committee correspondence sent and received while the Bill progressed through Parliament
Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill
Citizens Advice Scotland Stage 2 briefing, 23 April 2024
Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill
Letter from the Minister for Victims and Community Safety to the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, 18 April 2024
Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill
Consumer Scotland Stage 2 briefing, 18 April 2024
Work by other committees
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Meeting on 12 September 2023
Evidence session on 24 October 2023 (Read the Official Report)
Evidence session on 7 November 2023 (Read the Official Report)
Meeting on 14 November 2023
Meeting on 21 November 2023
Report published on 23 November 2023
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Committee report
The lead committee published its Stage 1 Report on 8 February 2024.
Stage 1 Report on the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill
The Committee received the following response to its report from the Minister for Victims and Community Safety—
Letter from the Minister for Victims and Community Safety, 16 February 2024 (378KB, pdf) posted 16 February 2024
Debate
MSPs debate the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
Meeting on 22 February 2024
Read the minutes of proceedings (178KB, pdf) posted 22 February 2024
Vote
MSPs vote on the general principles of the Bill.
Meeting on 22 February 2024
Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill: Financial Resolution
- Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party.
- Date lodged: Monday, 08 January 2024
- Motion reference: S6M-11800
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 22 February 2024
Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill
- Submitted by: Siobhian Brown, Ayr, Scottish National Party.
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 February 2024
- Motion reference: S6M-12248
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 22 February 2024
Result 62 for, 29 against, 25 abstained, 13 did not vote Vote Passed