Independent body to oversee legal profession

AN independent legal services regulatory body to oversee barristers and solicitors, is to be established by the Government as part of a bill aimed at improving competition and transparency amongst the legal professions.

Under the Legal Services Regulation Bill, which is expected to be published next week, an independent complaints structure is to be developed which will deal with complaints of professional misconduct by solicitors and barristers.

Up to now, such complaints had to be directed to the Law Society and Bar Council. The bill is a response to reforms sought in the EU/IMF bailout programme.