Legal services reform to focus on paralegals?

Legal services reform has featured prominently in the news of late, but one aspect of the sector - paralegals - has yet to come under much scrutiny.

This may be set to change as a registered paralegal scheme is to be introduced in Scotland, with guidelines for official codes of conduct and competencies to which members must adhere, the Guardian reports.

And UK legal services may evolve as a result, with paralegals potentially taking on responsibility for more roles as the so-called "Tesco law" makes it possible for lawyers and solicitors to form associations with non-legal professionals such as accountants.

Known as alternative business structures (ABS), last week justice minister Jonathon Djanogly revealed the cabinet's reducing regulation committee formally approved the
new guidelines, meaning the first ABS should open in little over a year.

Mr Djanogly said in a speech: "No one should be under the illusion that I wish to delay ABS introduction and all lawyers should be preparing for its introduction," Legal Futures reports.