Regulators have ‘inadequate understanding’ of the immigration advice market and don’t know if lawyers provide a good service, according to a review by the Legal Services Board (LSB).

A discussion paper published by the LSB reveals that the authority is looking at whether immigration advice and services should become a reserved legal activity. The board believes this will improve consumer choice and offer access to redress, with clients able to take any complaints to the Legal Ombudsman.

Currently, the review noted, there is confusion over the regulatory regime in place over immigration advice.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Bar Standards Board (BSB) and Institute of Legal Executives Professional Standards (IPS) are known as qualifying regulators as they regulate immigration advice and services. This function was transferred to them last year.

However, their functions overlap with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, a public body of the Home Office with some regulatory responsibilities. The LSB wants qualifying regulators to draw up a plan by the end of this year to improve their management of risks to consumers.

In particular, it wants to understand how the SRA ensures that all solicitors remain technically competent in immigration advice.

The review noted that the IPS is the only regulator to have made improvements in this area. The LSB has now issued the discussion paper and wants responses by 24 May.