Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Reform in a Cold Climate: Remodelling the
Regulation of Legal Services in Ireland
Colin Scott
UCD College of Social Sciences and Law
Authorized Revolution: Regulatory Disruption of the Legal Services Market
Georgetown University Law Center, 24th April 2015
Reforming Legal Services
Regulation:
A Pyramid of Technique
Balance of Professional
and State Responsibility
for Legal Services
Regulation
Mega-Regulation
MetaRegulation
Mandated
SelfRegulation
Self-Regulation
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Adapted from Ayres and Braithwaite
Responsive Regulation (1992)
Analysis
• Low Cost, Expert
• BUT, risk that professional
interests placed above
public interest
• Lacks Transparency
Pure Self Regulation
Bar Council
Version A:
Reactive
Adjudicates
complaints
complains
Protected Class
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Sets Norms
Barristers
Version B:
Proactive
Monitors
Enforces
Analysis
• Low cost, expert
• Modest political investment
• May be challenging to align
industry and public interest
Mandated Self Regulation
Legislature
Minister
Version A:‘Supplies
LegislativeFramework’
Version B: ‘Shadow of Hierarchy’
Law Society of Ireland
Sets Norms
Version A:
Reactive
Adjudicates
complaints
Version B:
Proactive
Monitors
Enforces
complains
Solicitors
Protected Class
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
AAChallenging
and
Changing
Context
Challenging
and
Changing
Context
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Law Society of Ireland unveils new
brand
The Law Society of Ireland is today (4 July 2014)
launching its new logo, visual identity and tone of
voice guidelines, marking a significant step in
implementing the recommendations of the Future
of the Law Society Task Force report.
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Competition Authority
2006 Report
Legal profession ‘permeated
with unnecessary and
disproportionate
restrictions on competition’
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Competition Authority 2006
Recommendations
• Separation of regulatory and representative roles of Bar Council
and Law Society
• Ending of Law Society and King’s Inns role in setting
standards for provision of professional education
• Permit barristers to act in partnerships
• Establishment of independent Legal Services Commission
• approval for professional training for solicitors and barristers
• approval of professional codes of conduct
• making of regulations for the profession
• undertake research into such issues as alternative business
structures
• End restrictions on solicitors as advocates in court
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Reform
EU/IMF Aid Package , December 2010,
commitment
‘...to introduce legislative changes to remove
restrictions to trade and competition in sheltered
sectors including...establishing an independent
regulator for the [legal] profession...’ (p9).
(by 2011 Q3)
Infringement proceedings for failure to
implement Services Directive 2006 Art 24, April
‘15
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Legal Service Regulation Bill,
October 2011
‘The Irish legal system will be comparable to that
of countries like China, Gambia or Vietnam if
the Legal Services Regulation Bill is passed unchanged,
according to the director of the IBA…’
At Dublin Seminar with Presidents of ABA and CCBE
‘All three warned independence will be compromised
if the proposed Bill, published in October, is enacted
as it stands. This will place Ireland outside the
norms of developed democratic states, they said.’
Irish Times 8 December 2011
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011
(amended)
Cl 12 (4) The Authority shall, in performing its functions of the
regulation of the provision of legal services under this Act, have
regard to the objectives of—
(a) protecting and promoting the public interest,
(b) supporting the proper and effective administration of justice,
(c) protecting and promoting the interests of consumers relating
to the provision of legal services,
(d) promoting competition in the provision of legal services in the
State,
(e) encouraging an independent, strong and effective legal
profession,
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Legal Services Regulation Bill, Meta-and Mega-Regulation
1. Appoint/remove
members, (stakeholder
nominations) chief
executive,
2. Remove members (on
stated grounds)
3. Direct issue of codes
4. Consent to issue of
Codes
5. Provide funds
6. Request reports
7. Consent to Regulations
Minister/
Government
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
Legal Services
Regulatory
Authority
Inform
Submit strategic plans & annual
reports
Reports on:
a. Education and training (2 years)
b. Unification (4 years) Review
c. MDPs (6 months)
education
& training
University
Law Schools
Issue codes,
Make regulations (accounts,
complaints, advertising,
etc)
3. Supervision of accounts,
4. Inspection,
5. Charge Fees,
6. Investigate complaints,
7. Initiate investigations,
8. Apply to Disciplinary
Tribunal,
9. Apply for court orders,
10. Prosecute
Barristers
Solicitors
1. Approve codes
2. Review:
a. admissions
standards,
b. professional
education &
training
King’s
Inns
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Regulation/
Representation
Bar
Council
Law
Society
Completion of Lower House
Process, 22nd April 2015
New amendments
• to strengthen the regulatory powers of the new
LSRA
• Legal partnerships will be subject to a public
consultation process
• provision will now be made to conduct detailed
research on the likely effects of MDPs
Further significant amendment at Seanad Stages
• Inspections and complaints;
• the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Tribunal;
• Limited Liability Partnerships,
• etc
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law
Conclusion
• Legal Profession very hostile to reforms
• Crystallised government preference for Mega• Are reforms coherent enough to provide
model for E&W Reforms?
•
Coláiste na nEolaíochtaí Sóisialta agus an Dlí
College of Social Sciences and Law