Government rejects LSB's recommendation to make will writing a reserved activity.

The Government have rejected this recommendation and their announcement can be found here.

The text of the Legal Services Board’s response to the Government and the Lord Chancellor’s decision is below:

"The Government declines to accept the regulation of will-writing activities

The Government and the Lord Chancellor have decided not to accept the recommendation of the Legal Services Board that will-writing activities should be made subject to regulation.

The LSB’s recommendations, made in February this year, concluded a two year investigation under section 24 of the Legal Services Act 2007 which found comprehensive evidence that the market is working contrary to the interests of consumers who use these critical services.

Chairman of the Legal Services Board, David Edmonds, said:
“Naturally we are disappointed by the Government’s decision. However it is their decision alone to make and we will study the details and respond in due course.
In the mean time the LSB will work with Ministry of Justice officials, consumer groups, providers and other stakeholders to ensure that the issues are tackled and that consumers confidence in the market for will writing services is increased.
The onus is now on both regulated and unregulated providers of will-writing services to improve standards and thereby earn consumer and public confidence ”."