Scottish Parliament Approves Law Society Regulatory Powers Expansion

The Scottish Parliament has passed the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill, marking a significant modernization of legal services regulation in Scotland. The legislation strengthens the Law Society of Scotland's role as an independent regulator by granting new powers to broadly regulate legal businesses, investigate complaints more swiftly, and suspend solicitors from practice. It also introduces a new legal offence for pretending to be a lawyer, addressing consumer protection gaps caused by the unrestricted use of the term 'lawyer.' The Bill aims to create a more consumer-focused, transparent, and accountable regulatory system that promotes access to justice, innovation, and competition while ensuring the independence and fairness of legal regulation. Officials highlighted that the reforms respond to decades-old regulatory frameworks that no longer meet the sector's or consumers' evolving needs and support vulnerable populations through eased restrictions on third sector bodies. The legislation reflects extensive consultation with stakeholders to improve the quality, accessibility, and oversight of legal services across Scotland.