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Restricting use of the term ‘lawyer’ is unnecessary and against the trend towards deregulation, according to the Bar Council.
Responding to the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) Legal Services Market Study Interim Report, the Bar Council said there is no need to formally restrict the use of the title ‘lawyer’.
It said the barrister and solicitor titles are ‘well-known and well-regarded by the public in England and Wales’, and are ‘internationally respected’, and that it is not aware of any evidence suggesting a consumer protection issue that needs addressing.
Restricting the title ‘lawyer’ would amount to ‘the creation of a new regulated title’, which the Bar Council considered ‘unnecessary’ and potentially ‘against the prevailing trend towards deregulation’.
It said: ‘It would add another layer of regulation and a commensurate cost, which may be passed on to the consumer.’
The Bar’s response said that while the titles of barrister and solicitor are ‘highly regarded’, the scope of ‘lawyer’ is ‘unclear and uncharted’. The additional title, it suggested, could cause ‘confusion and uncertainty’ for consumers.
It said the public and consumer interest would be better served by the provision of more information about the regulatory status of existing legal service providers.
The Law Society told the CMA that it was in the public interest for the use of the title ‘lawyer’ to be restricted to those who are ‘suitably qualified and regulated’.
Restricting use of the term ‘lawyer’ is unnecessary and against the trend towards deregulation, according to the Bar Council.
Responding to the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) Legal Services Market Study Interim Report, the Bar Council said there is no need to formally restrict the use of the title ‘lawyer’.
It said the barrister and solicitor titles are ‘well-known and well-regarded by the public in England and Wales’, and are ‘internationally respected’, and that it is not aware of any evidence suggesting a consumer protection issue that needs addressing.
Restricting the title ‘lawyer’ would amount to ‘the creation of a new regulated title’, which the Bar Council considered ‘unnecessary’ and potentially ‘against the prevailing trend towards deregulation’.
It said: ‘It would add another layer of regulation and a commensurate cost, which may be passed on to the consumer.’
The Bar’s response said that while the titles of barrister and solicitor are ‘highly regarded’, the scope of ‘lawyer’ is ‘unclear and uncharted’. The additional title, it suggested, could cause ‘confusion and uncertainty’ for consumers.
It said the public and consumer interest would be better served by the provision of more information about the regulatory status of existing legal service providers.
The Law Society told the CMA that it was in the public interest for the use of the title ‘lawyer’ to be restricted to those who are ‘suitably qualified and regulated’.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
