Start date for legal disciplinary practices
12 February 2009
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has been told by Bridget Prentice MP, parliamentary under secretary of state at the Ministry of Justice, that subject to parliamentary approval, the SRA will be able to regulate legal disciplinary practices (LDPs) from 31 March 2009.
LDPs will be a new type of solicitors' firm which will include one or more lawyers who are not solicitors (barristers, notaries, legal executives, licensed conveyancers, patent agents, trade mark agents or law costs draftsmen) and/or up to 25 per cent non-lawyers. However, outside participation - ownership or part ownership by non-lawyers who are not managers of the firm - will not be allowed.
SRA Chief Executive Antony Townsend said: "We are delighted that the Ministry of Justice have confirmed that, subject to parliamentary approval, we can introduce legal disciplinary practices in March. The change will benefit both consumers and the profession, providing greater choice and flexibility, and is the SRA's first step towards alternative business structures, which will offer even greater choice in legal services."