As law firms continue to grapple with the judgment in Mazur, the Legal Services Board has clarified the scope of its review of how regulators ensured information on conducting litigation was accurate and reliable. The review will cover 1 January 2010- 24 October 2025, from the date on which the relevant provisions of the Legal Services Act 2007 came into force, until after the High Court ruled in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP. A report will be published next March.
The review was launched earlier this month following criticism of messaging from CILEX about practising rights. In addition, it emerged that the Solicitors Regulation Authority initially wrote to the law firm involved in Mazur inaccurately stating that unauthorised people could conduct litigation under supervision.
Separately, CILEX continues to await the outcome of its fast-track application to the LSB to allow legal executives to obtain standalone litigation practice rights. An initial decision is due by the middle of next week.
’The purpose of this review is to consider the regulatory steps taken by approved regulators (where appropriate through their regulatory bodies) in providing advice and guidance and ensuring compliance with the [2007] Act in respect of persons undertaking the conduct of litigation.’ the LSB said. 'We consider that guidance includes both documented and non-documented formats, including but not limited to email, blogs, practice notes, as well as links to, and transcripts of, video content. This is a non-exhaustive list and the request should be considered broadly.'
The review will encompass issues or queries raised directly by the profession with regulators on the conduct of litigation and direct advice provided to individuals or firms. Details of any disciplinary, supervisory, or remedial actions taken by regulators relating to unauthorised conduct of litigation will also be investigated.
This article is now closed for comment.
8 Readers' comments