Publications
The LSB has made a commitment to evidence-based policy, and this applies not only to our regulatory decisions but also to the role we play in identifying long-term, strategic challenges facing the sector – as well as their solutions. Our research function is designed to gather evidence to inform our approach to policy and also to add to the collective store of knowledge within the sector.
The LSB aim to increase transparency by publishing all specifications online.
Key publications include the following:
| Date | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10 November | Quality in legal services: a literature review Quality in other regulated professions |
Reviews have sought to gather evidence to inform policy on measures to ensure quality in legal services |
| 12 October | Legal Education in the Global Context | Professor John Flood provides the LSB with a report on global lessons for education and training reform |
| 28 September 2011 | A framework to monitor the legal services sector | Findings provide detailed context for assessing change as firms and the overall market continues to develop |
| 20 September 2011 | New research published into legal services provided by ‘special bodies’ | Findings will inform our understanding of services provided and risk of consumer detriment |
| 20 September 2011 | LSB publishes new research into regulation of city firms | Findings examine the interaction between regulation and providers at the city end of the market |
| 12 August 2011 | Alternative Business Structures (ABS) research report published | Report sets out thinking on the likely impact of ABS on the legal services market |
| 14 July 2011 | Understanding the consumer experience of will-writing services | An independent research report by IFF research exploring the consumer experience of will-writing services, applying shadow shopping techniques to analyse the quality of wills produced. |
| 22 June 2011 | The smaller approved regulators: a research report | An independent research report by Nick Smedley into the capacity and capability of the smaller approved regulators to meet the requirements of the Legal Services Act 2007, with analysis and recommendations |
| 21 June 2011 | Aptitude testing and the legal profession | Report examines the appropriateness and effectiveness of aptitude testing in the legal services workforce |
| 09 June 2011 | First-tier Complaints Handling Report YouGov results |
YouGov research presents feedback of legal services users who were dissatisfied with their experience |
| 21 April 2011 | The Legal needs of consumer groups | Literature review on the legal needs of different consumer groups |
| 17 March 2011 | Understanding the economic rationale for legal services regulation | The LSB commissioned research to identify the economic rationale for regulation of legal services markets and the legal service profession. |
| 17 March 2011 | Understanding the economic rationale for legal services regulation – a collection of essays | Following the commissioned research on the economic rationale for regulation, the LSB published a compendium of articles discussing areas raised in the paper. |
| 17 March 2011 | Developing measures of consumer outcomes for legal services | The LSB commissioned research to understand what consumers want when using legal services and the role regulation, reserved activities or titles have in achieving these outcomes. |
| 16 March 2011 | Quality Assurance for advocates: Research Report | The LSB commissioned research into issues concerned with the delivery of the Quality Assurance for Advocates scheme. |
| 26 November 2010 | Diversity Initiatives of Approved Regulators | The LSB carried out research to map and evaluate the diversity initiatives of Approved Regulators. |
| 13 October 2010 | Diversity in the legal profession in England and Wales: A qualitative study of barriers and individual choices. | Findings of qualitative research on the challenges facing female and BME lawyers in England and Wales. |
| 28 July 2010 | Barriers to the legal profession | Literature review on the diversity of the legal profession, specifically the barriers presented at each stage to entry and progression. |
| 17 June 2010 | Legal services needs of small businesses | Findings of qualitative research on the challenges small businesses face in identifying and accessing legal services. |
| 14 June 2010 | The future of legal services | The LSB has published a compendium of essays on the future landscape for the sector, bringing together top academics and industry figures to plot the future course for legal services delivery. |
| 17 May 2010 | LSB publishes economic research on referral arrangements | First component of evidence base around referral fees is released by the LSB, to be followed up with further evidence throughout the summer. |
| 29 December 2009 | Consumer Research | Research into the perspective of legal services consumers. |