Legal Services Board: Public Bodies Review
House of Commons · Written Statements · 13 Jul 2026 · 1 speech · Official Report
I am announcing today the conclusion of the review of the Legal Services Board as a public body, led by independent lead reviewer Richard Lloyd. The summary and findings can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-legal-services-board-independent-public-bodies-review It is important that Departments regularly review their public bodies to provide assurance to both Government and the public that these bodies are operating effectively, that their functions remain useful and necessary, and that there is clear accountability without unnecessary duplication. In the context of legal services regulation, effective and proportionate oversight plays an important role in supporting high professional standards across the legal sector and maintaining public confidence in the legal system. This review considered the LSB’s statutory remit, strategic clarity, governance and accountability arrangements, and organisational capability. The review’s focus was on the operation of the LSB as a public body within the existing statutory framework established by the Legal Services Act 2007, rather than on wider legislative reform. That is a subject for another day. The conclusions of the report are stark. The LSB has, in some respects, lost its way and must take steps to refocus on consumer protection and strategic oversight. Richard Lloyd’s report recognises that there have been a series of regulatory failures across the system which have resulted in significant consumer...