What is a Licensed Legal Service Provider?

A Licensed Legal Provider (LP) is a business which is licensed to provide legal services to the public. It differs from a traditional legal practice because of who can own the LP. Traditional legal practice can only be owned by regulated solicitors whereas LPs can be owned by other individuals.

Allowing non-solicitor ownership means solicitors could set up in partnership with other professionals, such as surveyors, accountants or architects, and promote existing senior, non-solicitor, staff to partner level and allow LPs to seek external capital. It will also allow for new providers of legal services to enter the market.

Like traditional law firms, the legal services provided by the LP are regulated which means clients can expect the same standards of service, advice and consumer protections as they would from a legal practice. Currently, the Law Society of Scotland is the only regulator of LPs in Scotland.