Dr Brian Doherty

The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) said it will soon begin consulting with the Law Society and the Bar Council on the new business model following the approval of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023.

Legal partnerships were first provided for in the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 which created the LSRA, but the relevant provisions have not yet been enacted due to perceived gaps which have been addressed in the new bill.

The proposed new model has attracted criticism from some practitioners, with one barrister telling Irish Legal News in 2021 that its introduction could undermine the independent referral bar.

Dr Brian Doherty, the LSRA’s CEO, said: “The introduction of legal partnerships will enable barristers and solicitors to jointly provide legal services for the first time, thereby offering a greater range of services and expertise to their clients.

“The LSRA will engage closely with the professional bodies and other important stakeholders in the months ahead as it prepares regulations to facilitate the introduction of legal partnerships.

“The Authority is committed to creating a regulatory framework that allows legal practitioners to work together and provide efficient and competitively priced legal services to consumers.

“We will begin consulting with stakeholders on the regulations later this year.”

Dr Doherty also welcomed new legislative provisions on the LSRA’s funding model.

“Since the establishment of the Authority in 2016, it has been apparent that the levy model contained in its founding legislation is unduly complex and challenging to administer and doesn’t provide a sustainable funding stream for the organisation,” he said.

“These significant legislative amendments to the existing levy model will mean more certainty and stability for the LSRA’s future funding and planned expansion.”