Watchdog seeks root-and-branch reform of legal profession
The Competition Authority has recommended sweeping changes to the way solicitors and barristers conduct their business.
In a report out today, the authority says the legal profession is in need of root-and-branch reform to create more competition and make it more accessible to the public.
The competition watchdog is seeking the introduction of an Independent Legal Services Commission to replace the current self-regulation that the legal profession enjoys.
It also wants an end to the monopolies that the Bar Council and the Law Society have over the training of new barristers and solicitors.
Elsewhere, the authority is recommending a new profession of specialist conveyancers be set up to handle property transfers, saying this should reduce the cost of buying a house.
