Law Society calls for joined-up approach as key to legal reform success

The Law Society of Scotland has stressed that a joined-up approach across regulators will be essential to ensuring the success of major reforms to legal services.

Responding to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) strategy consultation and its draft budget, the Law Society of Scotland has said all of the organisations involved must work together constructively, collaboratively and with coordinated priorities and planning to ensure successful implementation of the new Regulation of Legal Services Act.

The Law Society has encouraged the SLCC to give more explicit recognition of this within its draft strategy, recognising the critical importance of ongoing dialogue, alignment of priorities and structured collaboration with fellow regulators.

The Law Society has commended the SLCC strategy’s focus on the resolution of complaints, acknowledging the SLCC’s important primary role as the central gateway for addressing service concerns, disputes and the admission of conduct matters.

However, while recognising a rising number of complaints and their increased complexity, the professional body for Scottish solicitors highlighted concerns about the proposed 12.5% rise in the SLCC’s annual levy for 2026/27 which must be paid by solicitors. In addition to being a substantial, above inflation increase, if implemented the levy will have risen cumulatively by 45% over the course of just four years.

The Law Society is therefore urging the SLCC to revisit this increase, saying it was vital that the SLCC be as open and transparent as possible around costs and the justification for its proposed increase.

Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland, Ben Kemp, said: “This is a time of significant change. After a decade of debate, we have new legislation that will transform how we and others regulate legal services in Scotland for the better.

“The experience of consumers and legal professionals, whether in relation to complaints or broader regulatory matters, will be shaped by how well we as organisations work together. Only through a joined-up approach between different bodies will these reforms be a success.

“As part of this, it is critical that all bodies are open and transparent about their rationale for charges on the profession, costs which are themselves ultimately borne by the consumers of legal services. This is why we have raised concerns about the SLCC’s proposed 12.5% increase in its annual levy and have asked that this be reconsidered.

“More widely, we look forward to working collaboratively with the SLCC in the months and years ahead to ensure successful implementation of the reforms to legal regulation. Our shared aim must be to reinforce confidence in the regulatory system as a whole, while enabling legal businesses to thrive in what is a highly competitive market.”