Lord chief justice questions why increase in the number of lawyers has not led to reduced fees

updated on 28 January 2015

The lord chief justice has called for an independent investigation into the effects of the Legal Services Act 2007, and why increased competition has not led to a reduction in fees.

Lord Roger Thomas told the government’s justice select committee that although there has been a “massive expansion” in the number of lawyers, this has not led to the predicted fall in the fees charged for their services. As Legal Futures reports, he questioned whether the reforms introduced in the Legal Services Act 2007 have made a difference and the profession is correctly structured to provide legal services that people can actually afford. Thomas also cited the high cost of litigation and lawyers’ subsequent advice to their clients to avoid it as being impediments to access to justice.

Thomas also called for a new look at how the Legal Services Board and other regulators should operate – whether by activity (ie, legal service or practice area) or profession.