§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures they are taking to ensure that the changes to the future delivery of legal services proposed in their consultation paper In the public interest?do not reduce the current level of consumer protection but maintain and improve access to justice. [HL763]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)The aim of the paper was to collect views and evidence to enable the Government to address the issues raised. The next step is to settle policy on those issues. In doing so, the Government will wish to gauge the impact of policy options on the market in legal services, consumers and the wider public interest.
The Government are committed to ensuring that the professions are properly subject to competition. In most cases, open and competitive markets are the best way to ensure that consumers get the best possible service, but the public interest in protecting consumers 185WA and ensuring probity are also important factors, as is access to justice.