Reform in a Cold Climate: Remodelling the Regulation of Legal Services in Ireland
Colin Scott
UCD College of Social Sciences and Law
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Authorized Revolution: Regulatory Disruption of the Legal Services MarketGeorgetown University Law Center, 24th April 2015
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Meta-Regulation
Mandated Self-
Regulation
Self-Regulation
Mega-Regulation
Reforming Legal ServicesRegulation:A Pyramid of Technique
Adapted from Ayres and Braithwaite Responsive Regulation (1992)
Balance of Professionaland State Responsibilityfor Legal Services Regulation
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Bar Council
Barristers
Protected Class
Pure Self Regulation
Version A:ReactiveAdjudicatescomplaints
Version B:ProactiveMonitorsEnforces
Sets Norms
complains
Analysis• Low Cost, Expert• BUT, risk that professional
interests placed above public interest
•Lacks Transparency
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Minister
Law Society of Ireland
Solicitors
Protected Class
Mandated Self Regulation
Sets Norms
Legislature
Version A:‘Supplies LegislativeFramework’
Version B: ‘Shadow of Hierarchy’
complains
Version A:ReactiveAdjudicatescomplaints
Version B:ProactiveMonitorsEnforces
Analysis• Low cost, expert• Modest political investment• May be challenging to align
industry and public interest
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
A Challenging and Changing ContextA Challenging and Changing Context
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Law Society of Ireland unveils new brand
The Law Society of Ireland is today (4 July 2014) launching its new logo, visual identity and tone of voice guidelines, marking a significant step in implementing the recommendations of the Future of the Law Society Task Force report.
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Competition Authority 2006 Report
Legal profession ‘permeated with unnecessary and disproportionaterestrictions on competition’
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Competition Authority 2006 Recommendations
• Separation of regulatory and representative roles of Bar Council and Law Society
• Ending of Law Society and King’s Inns role in settingstandards for provision of professional education
• Permit barristers to act in partnerships• Establishment of independent Legal Services Commission
• approval for professional training for solicitors and barristers• approval of professional codes of conduct• making of regulations for the profession• undertake research into such issues as alternative business
structures• End restrictions on solicitors as advocates in court
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
ReformEU/IMF Aid Package , December 2010, commitment ‘...to introduce legislative changes to remove restrictions to trade and competition in sheltered sectors including...establishing an independent regulator for the [legal] profession...’ (p9).(by 2011 Q3)
Infringement proceedings for failure to implement Services Directive 2006 Art 24, April ‘15
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Legal Service Regulation Bill, October 2011
‘The Irish legal system will be comparable to that of countries like China, Gambia or Vietnam ifthe Legal Services Regulation Bill is passed unchanged,according to the director of the IBA…’
At Dublin Seminar with Presidents of ABA and CCBE
‘All three warned independence will be compromisedif the proposed Bill, published in October, is enacted as it stands. This will place Ireland outside the norms of developed democratic states, they said.’
Irish Times 8 December 2011
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011(amended)
Cl 12 (4) The Authority shall, in performing its functions of the regulation of the provision of legal services under this Act, have regard to the objectives of—
(a) protecting and promoting the public interest,(b) supporting the proper and effective administration of justice,(c) protecting and promoting the interests of consumers relating to the provision of legal services,(d) promoting competition in the provision of legal services in the State,(e) encouraging an independent, strong and effective legal profession,
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Legal Services Regulation Bill, Meta-and Mega-Regulation
Legal Services Regulatory Authority
Minister/Government
Law SocietyLaw Society
Bar CouncilBar Council
Solicitors
Barristers
1. Appoint/remove members, (stakeholder nominations) chief executive,
2. Remove members (on stated grounds)
3. Direct issue of codes4. Consent to issue of
Codes5. Provide funds6. Request reports7. Consent to Regulations
1. Approve codes2. Review: a. admissions standards,b. professional education &training
UniversityLaw Schools
Revieweducation& training
1. Inform 2. Submit strategic plans & annual
reports3. Reports on:
a. Education and training (2 years) b. Unification (4 years)
c. MDPs (6 months)
1. Issue codes, 2. Make regulations (accounts,
complaints, advertising, etc)
3. Supervision of accounts,4. Inspection,5. Charge Fees,6. Investigate complaints,7. Initiate investigations,8. Apply to Disciplinary
Tribunal,9. Apply for court orders,10. Prosecute
Regulation/Representation
King’sInnsKing’sInns
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an DlíCollege of Social Sciences and Law
Completion of Lower House Process, 22nd April 2015
New amendments •to strengthen the regulatory powers of the new LSRA•Legal partnerships will be subject to a public consultation process•provision will now be made to conduct detailed research on the likely effects of MDPs Further significant amendment at Seanad Stages•Inspections and complaints; •the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Tribunal;•Limited Liability Partnerships, •etc