Justice minister Helen Grant has stated the government’s commitment to reviewing legal services regulation despite last week’s extension to the response deadline.

The Ministry of Justice said it is keen to emphasise its keenness to press ahead with reform of regulation. It opened what it calls an ’informal consultation’ in June, with a call for evidence. 

The deadline for responses was originally due to close on 2 September, but the department said it had agreed with key groups to give extra time to finalise responses.

So far the Gazette understands that the MoJ has received 40 to 50 responses from regulators, consumer groups, academics and interested parties. The Legal Services Board submitted its 93-page reply this week. The Bar Standards Board’s response is likely to be submitted next week.

Grant said: ’There is absolutely no doubt over the government’s appetite for this review. We have made clear we want to reduce the burdens on the legal sector, while ensuring appropriate oversight continues, and this informal consultation is an important first stage of that work.

’We have accepted requests from some parties to respond slightly outside the initial deadline, so that they can finalise their comments. We will consider our next steps once we have received those responses.’

At today’s SRA board meeting, members discussed jointly working with the Legal Services Board and Legal Services Consumer Panel on short-term goals that would not require primary legislation. These may include changes to speed up the authorisation process for alternative business structures.