The chair of the Legal Services Board says he is happy for his organisation to disappear if it means legal regulation is reformed.

David Edmonds told the Gazette this week that the super-regulator could be ‘wrapped up’ within five years if primary legislation is passed to create one single regulator.

He was speaking as the government emphasised its commitment to reform, despite extending the deadline for responses to its call for evidence on the subject.

Justice minister Helen Grant said: ‘There is absolutely no doubt over the government’s appetite for this review. We have made clear we want to reduce the burdens on the legal sector, while ensuring appropriate oversight continues.’

The oversight regulator submitted its response to the government’s call for opinions on legal services regulation last week. Edmonds said the system set up under the Legal Services Act should be seen as a ‘transitional phase’ to the ultimate aim of a simplified system.

This ‘should be organisationally, statutorily and culturally fully independent’, he said.

‘In turn, its own rulebook should start from a blank sheet of paper – informed, but not constrained, by current requirements, with no passporting in of old rules.’

Edmonds likened the transition to that of the telecommunications regulator Oftel, where he was director general before its replacement by Ofcom. ‘I helped to wrap up that organisation and I know it can work in legal services regulation,’ he added.

Edmonds said his proposals would require new legislation, but in the meantime regulators should make short-term changes to ensure the system is based on outcomes rather than rules.

He pointed to the authorisation process for alternative business structures as one area where costs and barriers can be reduced.