The CLC has launched a consultation on the issue of standalone licences.
Currently the CLC is only able to issue licences extending the scope of reserved legal services provided (such as probate or litigation services) to licensed conveyancers (authorised to provide conveyancing services).
They believe this system does not fit with the reforms introduced by the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA).
The CLC is proposing a number of changes that it believes will appropriately safeguard the interests of consumers.
They propose that they should license individuals who meet the ‘fit and proper’ test and that the licence should specify the types of legal services that the individual is licensed to provide.
Respondents are invited to answer the following questions;
Do you agree that the CLC should be able to issue standalone licences to individuals for probate, litigation and other reserved legal activities (ie without also requiring the licensee to have a conveyancing licence)?
Do you agree that the CLC should be able to issue standalone licences to recognised bodies for probate, litigation and other reserved legal activities (ie without also requiring the recognised body to have a conveyancing licence)?
Further details on the consultation are available here, whilst the survey can be reached here.
Responses must be submitted by the 19th June 2013.