UK legal services 'will be the most modern and open of any in the world'

Legal services in the UK are to be transformed into the most modern and open of any in the world, according to one industry expert.

Chairman of the Legal Services Board behind the so-called "Tesco law" deregulation bill, David Edmonds denies the shake up will harm professionals, claiming proper client protection will complement more competitive service delivery, reports the Financial Times.

A demonstration is taking place outside the High Court today (September 23rd), with lawyers bearing the slogan: "Legal services by supermarkets is as ridiculous as lawyers selling beans."

Protesters and others may fear competition from aggressive new market entrants will push smaller firms out of the sector, with some practitioners potentially struggling due to lower demand for traditional services such as legal aid and conveyancing.

The bill was attacked by a parliamentary committee when it was first suggested, claiming it would threaten the independence of the profession and could lead to conflicts of interest.