LSB aims to strengthen ethical standards
updated on 11 March 2025
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The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published a consultation with proposed regulatory measures to strengthen ethical standards in the legal sector.
The consultation, which was released on 6 March 2025, seeks input on the best way to allow lawyers “to fully understand and uphold their ethical duties throughout their careers”. The report highlighted examples of where lawyers have failed to meet the ethical standards expected of them, ranging from unintentional to more severe behaviours – such as misleading courts, the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation and the misuse of non-disclosure agreements.
The LSB has suggested a range of outcomes and expectations. The proposed measures would require regulators to:
- establish standards for training individuals on professional ethics, both at qualification and at regular intervals throughout their career;
- ensure that standards are clearly defined within a framework of rules, guidance and other resources;
- set standards for reporting breaches of professional ethics, including self-reporting;
- utilise a variety of sources to collect data on compliance;
- develop processes for remedial or disciplinary action in cases of ethical breaches; and
- implement evaluation measures to ensure the new standards are fit for purpose.
Chief executive of the LSB, Craig Westwood, said: “The administration of justice and the rule of law rely on lawyers maintaining the highest ethical standards. Our evidence shows there are gaps in understanding and support that need to be addressed. Regulators have a role to play in making sure that lawyers have the knowledge, skills and support from their leaders and workplaces to make sound ethical decisions throughout their careers.
“Any change in workplace and leadership culture will require action from across and beyond the legal sector. We welcome all responses to this consultation to help make sure that regulation can play its part in this change.”
The consultation is open until 29 May 2025.
