Bill aims to cut cost and boost competition in legal profession

LONG-awaited changes to the legal profession, aimed at cutting costs, increasing competition and improving consumer service, will be published next week, the Taoiseach has said.

The 300-page document Legal Services Bill is based on recommendations made by the Competition Authority five years ago, most of which have not yet been implemented.

Many of the changes have been hotly contested by the solicitors and barristers bodies who, according to the authority’s report, have maintained “many unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions on competition”.