Which? super-complaint: Legal services in Scotland

This super-complaint, submitted in May 2007, asserted that a number of restrictions imposed on providers of legal services in Scotland were significantly harming the interests of consumers by stifling choice, inhibiting innovation, and excluding potential entrants from the legal services market.

These restrictions included: restrictions on lawyers and non-lawyers (or advocates) working together; the prohibition on lawyers and advocates adopting appropriate business models for the provision of legal services; restrictions on third party entry; and the restrictions on direct access to advocates.

Which? asserted that the regulatory structure for legal services in Scotland should be reformed in order to accommodate the lifting of these restrictions. This would improve access to justice and significantly increase consumer benefit.