(Ministry of Justice) Legal Services Board to drive improvements in access to the legal profession

Responding to the Government's Panel for Fair Access to the Professions, the Legal Services Board today makes clear its commitment to playing a leading role in the action to improve access to the legal profession for people of all backgrounds.

Commenting, David Edmonds, LSB Chairman said:

"The unique role played by the legal profession in our society makes it essential that it is open to anyone with the right abilities, irrespective of background. It must be seen to be so.

"The profession should select, promote and retain the best candidates, from the widest pool of talent to ensure that it reflects at all levels the diverse society it serves.

"The Legal Services Board has a specific statutory objective to encourage an independent, strong, diverse and effective legal profession. The Board is committed to playing its part in maintaining the impetus for real, long-term change. Promoting fair opportunities is therefore not an optional extra for us - it is central to our work."

Recently established as the independent body to oversee the regulation of lawyers in England and Wales, the LSB's goal is to reform and modernise the legal services market, putting the interests of consumers and citizens at the heart of the system.

Previewing its forthcoming Business Plan, the LSB's evidence states that in its first year of operation it will:

* review current work on professional diversity;

* broker constructive working relationships between the profession, its regulators and the providers of legal education; and

* ensure that diversity and social mobility issues are at the heart of the model of regulatory excellence which the Board will develop.

The Board also hopes to work with the Panel to frame a long-term strategy, giving particular attention to career progression of marginalised groups and the interaction between lawyers and educational providers. It cautions however, that these initiatives will only command credibility if there are clearly defined outcomes measures, a focus on delivery and rigorous evaluation.