Meeting of the Parliament 20 May 2025
I will take a moment to reflect on the importance of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill and the hard work that has gone into bringing it to this point, which includes engagement with members across the Parliament. I thank everybody, including the many members who have spoken today, for all their engagement.
The bill is a significant step forward in ensuring that Scotland’s legal services are accessible, accountable and of the highest quality. The changes that we are debating today are about not just regulatory frameworks or the legal process, but the people of Scotland—the people who rely on legal services and the professionals who serve them.
We are crafting a legal services system that is robust and also flexible, transparent and equipped to meet the needs of a modern society. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to introduce changes that will enhance transparency for consumers, enhance access to justice and create a framework that fosters both public confidence and professional respect. The bill empowers the Lord President, bringing much-needed oversight, while ensuring that the legal profession in Scotland continues to uphold the high standards that it is known for.
I acknowledge that the bill is not the end of the journey but rather the beginning of an on-going process of refinement and improvement. We have created a foundation for a regulatory framework that can adapt to future changes, and it will be vital that we remain open to further improvement as the legal landscape evolves, including during the implementation of the eventual act by secondary legislation.
I am confident that, with this bill, we are setting Scotland’s legal services on a path to greater fairness, accessibility and accountability for years to come. Over the course of today’s debate we have heard a range of important contributions from members on this critical piece of proposed legislation, and I will take a moment to reflect on some of them.
First, I thank Scottish Labour, the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Lib Dems for all their engagement and for backing the bill today. I have to say, however, that I am really disappointed in the Scottish Conservatives for not supporting the bill at stage 3, and I am confused by their stance.
I think that consumer groups would be extremely concerned by Tess White stating that the independent regulator should be regulated by the head of the judiciary, the Lord President. For clarity, I note that Esther Roberton sought accountability outwith the judiciary. It is disappointing that the Scottish Conservatives do not appear to have a clear understanding of the history of all the work that has gone into the bill or of the asks of consumers or the legal profession. That is very sad.
I will reflect on a few other contributions. The lead committee recognised the differing views of the legal profession and consumer groups on the question of regulatory reform, as well as the fact that there is broad support for the improvements that will be introduced by the bill. As members will note, I have sought to work in a collaborative way with members and stakeholders, considering their concerns and making concessions where I consider that it is sensible. I believe that the bill provides balance and delivers key priorities to stakeholders.
Members have the opportunity today to vote on a bill that will reshape how legal services are delivered for, and experienced by, professionals and consumers alike. Our goal is clear: a legal services system that works for everyone. I therefore ask members to support the motion in my name and to pass the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill.