Unite Hits Out at Legal Services Bill

Thu, 07 Jan 2010

The Unite union has criticised the Scottish government’s proposed Legal Services Bill which would allow banks and supermarkets to invest in legal practices. The Scottish government hopes that the bill will enable Scotland’s legal profession to compete internationally, though Unite claim it will result in a system whereby legal services are provided purely on the basis of profit, with the possibility of higher legal costs while the quality of the services could be eroded.

With the Scottish Parliament justice committee continuing its scrutiny of the bill, Unite has voiced fears that the passage of the bill could result in low income families being denied access to barristers, lawyers and solicitors . Unite’s claims are contrary to the claims of consumer group Which?, who complained to the Office of Fair Trading that the ban on law firms teaming up with non-legal firms restricted choice. Another consumer group, Consumer Focus Scotland, have also welcomed the bill, claiming more choice is needed.

Similar legislation in England has been dubbed ‘Tesco Law’, though ministers in Scotland are confident that this wouldn’t be the case north of the border.
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