The Law Society of England and Wales welcomes the government's
recognition of the legal sector in the new Industrial Strategy.
Many of the Law Society's recommendations have been reflected in
the strategy and the wider sector plan for professional and
business services, announced today.
The strategy outlines the government's plans to:
- Maintain the strength of English and Welsh law, digitise our
civil justice system and open overseas markets to maintain the
global standing of the UK legal sector.
- Support technological innovation in legal services by
extending the LawtechUK programme for an additional year focusing
on small and medium-sized law firms.
- Invest in training and upskilling legal professionals.
As part of professional and business services, one of the eight
high-growth sectors the Strategy focuses on, the legal sector is
seen as a key enabler that brings all other sectors of the
economy together. It is the second largest in the world and the
biggest in Europe. The legal sector contributes £60 billion a
year to the economy.
Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and
Wales, said:
“Our legal system sets global standards. The new Industrial
Strategy can be a game-changer for the UK economy and the legal
sector. Putting legal services at the heart of the country's
economic engine can fuel sustained growth.
“The new strategy prioritises technological innovation, aims to
open global markets and upskill English and Welsh lawyers. If
coupled with the investment we will need in the courts
infrastructure and across the justice system, the strategy could
deliver sustained growth in the sector.
“The Law Society is looking forward to working with the
government to deliver its long-term ambitions for legal
services.”
Notes to editors
