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The WS Society has submitted its views to the Justice Committee on the Bill which is designed to overhaul the regulatory framework for legal services in Scotland. The Bill provides for the regulation of alternative business structures (ABS) to compete with traditional solicitors’ law firms and also proposes significant changes to the existing regulation of solicitors and law firms by the Law Society of Scotland (LSS). In its submission the WS agrees that there should be more competition, flexibility and variety through the introduction of ABS but cautions that the regulatory framework must guarantee a level playing field between ABS and law firms. The WS also warns that there are provisions in the Bill increasing government control of LSS because of its regulatory role. The WS argues that solicitors may feel that these provisions tip the balance in compromising the independence of LSS as a representative body for solicitors. The WS urges that the Bill should focus LSS on regulation and leave the representative role to other non-regulatory bodies of solicitors in order to safeguard the independence of solicitors. The WS suggests a reprise of a joint council of representative bodies of solicitors along the lines as existed before the formation of LSS in 1949.

<<_F50>> to read the full submission.