Legal Services Act of 2007 - Is it Working?

(Posted on 02/07/11)

In 2007, the Parliament passed an Act that was designed to not only regulate the legal sector and how it pertains to serving the needs of people, but to also ensure a healthy competition among solicitors. Ideally, it would have opened new avenues for consumer complaints in an effort of a more transparent collective legal sector. So now, three years later, how is the Legal Services Act of 2007 working? One watch group says there still exists what it refers to as an "imbalance of power". Published in June, the Legal Services Consumer Panel's report says much has improved, though there remain problems that must be addressed for the Act to truly service its purpose.

Perhaps most striking is the report's declaration of a power imbalance between solicitors in the UK and their clients. It says the legal services provided is often too weak to be effective and many consumers are still too restricted as they seek to find quality solicitors. Worse, of those who have reported unsatisfactory legal services, a full one third do not report it to anyone - including their legal representation. Costs are still high and it's believed that a full 20% of folks do not trust solicitors at all.

The recommendations are many, though at the top of the list, many say it's important to engage more with their clients. Solicitors need to take it upon themselves to define a new and more transparent policy within their offices. The changes that have occurred since 2007 are hopeful; though not enough.

Could it be one reason websites like Solicitor.info are so popular is because consumers are beginning to become more assertive in their efforts of finding the right legal representation? Many say it absolutely is. "With more comparison sites taking an ethical approach to highlighting the best solicitors in the UK, it does appear that change is becoming to come full circle" says one industry leader. Giving consumers the power to leave comments about their experience is an effective way of not only protecting other consumers, but also it serves as an important tool that smart lawyers will begin to incorporate.

There will always be room for improvement, no matter the dynamics, but when consumers come together and begin to work in tandem, it ensures the best rise to the top - and in the end, that's all anyone wants: the best legal representation when it's needed.