Trade Mark & Patent Attorneys give cautious welcome to proposals on future of Legal Services Bill

In a joint statement, Phil Harris, First Vice President of ITMA, and Michael Harrison, President of CIPA said:

“Both Institutes have been supporters of Government reforms to the legal system in this and other areas. Reform has been long overdue and the Government is to be congratulated for its willingness to contemplate radical reforms that will put the UK legal system far ahead of the historically more traditional systems in other countries.”

“By dispensing with outmoded restrictions on business form, these changes will help to give UK lawyers a competitive advantage both in the high street and, of more relevance to us, in the international sector. Consumer confidence (sorely tested in other sectors of the legal services market in recent years) and competitiveness will be greatly enhanced.”

“Nevertheless,” they said “there are some aspects of the reforms that cause us concern and which we believe will need to be addressed if the new structures are to work most efficiently for consumers and providers alike. In summary we believe the following areas need further attention:”

· The jurisdiction of the LSB (Legal Services Board) over both our members and registered attorneys practices;
· The application of the ABS (Alternative Business Structures) concept to mixed Patent & Trade Mark attorney firms and to mixed practices generally;
· The application of privilege in ABS firms;
· Consultation with the representative side of the Regulated Sector;
· The make-up of the Consumer Panel;
· The cost of regulation; and
· The creation of the OLC (Office of Legal Complaints).
In conclusion Mr. Harris and Mr. Harrison said:

“We have appreciated the opportunities the DCA has given to discuss and clarify our concerns. We would value an early opportunity to discuss the issues raised in this submission with a view to our contributing further to the development of successful legislation and to new structures that will work most efficiently for consumers and providers alike.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. A copy of the full response can be found under 'Hot off the Press' on the ITMA homepage (http://www.itma.org.uk/pdf_downloads/official_response/joint_decaf_sub_future_legal_services.PDF).

2. The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) is the UK body dedicated to the protection of trade marks. It has over 1,600 members and is one of the few professional bodies of practitioners concerned primarily with trade mark matters throughout the world. For further information contact the Institute office at ITMA, Canterbury House, 2-6 Sydenham Road, Croydon, Surrey, CRO 9XE. (Tel: 020 8686 2052) or visit the website www.itma.org.uk.

3. The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA) is a professional body representing Patent Attorneys in the UK. CIPA was founded in 1882 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1891. For further information contact CIPA, 95 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1DT (Tel: 020 7405 9450)

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