1. Immediate Past President
Presentation by
Philip Thomson
Immediate Past President
March 2016

3. Law Society study identified 5 key drivers for change
Global and national economic business environment
How clients buy legal services
Technological and process innovation
New entrants and types of competition
The political agenda including access to justice

4. “Business as usual is not an option for many, indeed any, traditional legal service providers. Innovation in services and service delivery will become a very differentiating factor”. “The need for all types of lawyer to expand their skill base beyond technical legal knowledge, to encompass business and project management skills and a better understanding of complex risk, places corporate and in-house lawyers ahead of the game, as they already work with clients ………….in environments which expect such skills as the norm”. “The implications of the Big 4 accountancy firms offering legal services should not be underestimated.”

5. Local authorities The Environment Austerity
Local Government and Health Integration
Plans to combine the Blue Light Services under the PCC
Devolution and combined authorities.   

6. Local authorities – The Regulators
Legal Services Board. “Are Regulatory Restrictions in Practicing for In House Lawyers Justified” and “ Statement on Section 15(4) of the Act”
“Concerned that any unnecessary restrictions on in house lawyers may have the potential to impose costs and red tape, frustrate innovation and adversely affect access to justice”
SRA response – Looking to the Future” November 2015.
Users of legal services can chose flexibly from:-
Completely unregulated business
A regulated individual working in an unregulated business
A fully regulated firm.
Would allow a solicitor to provide non reserved legal services outside of a firm regulated by the SRA.
BUT All reserved legal services must be through a regulated entity where the service is to the public or a section of the public.

7. Local Authorities – The ABS.
Reasons –
No issues as to vires.
Culturally can play a part in driving change
Freedom over conditions of employment. Eg salary and bonuses.
Vehicle for sharing/merger in which other LA’s can invest.
“ All else being equal ABS are per cent more likely to introduce new legal services. They are also more likely to engage in strategic and organisational innovation”
(Roper et al. 2015: 8)

8. Local Authorities – The response
Partnership working – eg. EM LawShare. Public Law partnership
Shared Services – eg. NP Law. Mid Kent, Cheltenham and Gloucester
ABS. – HB Law, Buckinghamshire, LGSS and Essex.

9. Local Authorities – A View
Scale is key
Economies of scale
Breadth of expertise.
Resilience
Better career structures and rewards
A Public Sector Legal Service.

10. LLG can make a difference by
(Through LLG Enterprises) providing relevant and quality training
Raising awareness of innovative ways of operation that are more effective.
Horizon scanning, raising the profile of LA solicitors and effectively representing them.
Helping LA solicitors prepare for and embark on change. To be masters/mistresses of their own destiny.
Becoming the “Go-to” point for Local Authorities and their stakeholders for advice and input into the development of legal services.

11. LLG wants to know
Are these right – are they what you as our members want to see?
Are there other things LLG should be doing?