Licensed legal services providers

A Licensed Legal Services Provider (LP) is new type of business which is licensed to provide legal services to the public. It differs from a traditional legal practice because of who can own the LP. Traditional legal practices can only be owned by solicitors who hold a practising certificate (and registered foreign lawyers), whereas LPs can be owned by other non-lawyers.

The aim is to give wider choice to clients and greater flexibility to solicitors as to how legal services are provided. Like traditional law firms, the legal service provided by the LP are regulated, which means clients can expect the same standards of service, advice and consumer protections. The Law Society of Scotland is responsible for regulating of LPs in Scotland.

The creation of LPs became possible under Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010.

If you have any queries about licensed providers, please contact lp@lawscot.org.uk.

Licensed legal services providers update - September 2025

In September 2025, we announced our decision to defer further work on the regulatory scheme for licensed legal service providers until our 2027/28 operating year.

The Scottish Parliament passed the new Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act in May 2025. The new legislation provides sweeping reforms to the way the existing solicitor profession is to be regulated. It also made changes to the make-up of LLSPs and how they are to be regulated.

The Law Society’s Regulatory Committee, made up of solicitor and non-solicitor members, has concluded that it would be appropriate to prioritise delivery of key parts of the new 2025 Act in the short term. This includes work on a whole new system of business level regulation of 1,200 existing law firms. The committee also agreed to focus on implementing the improvements to the complaints system, recognising that this had been a matter of particular focus for MSPs who had highlighted how the existing system was too slow for consumers in resolving disputes and issues of misconduct.

The committee therefore agreed to defer further work on LLSPs for the next two years. Noting that only limited interest had been expressed so far by firms in terms of becoming LLSPs, the committee agreed to return to the issue in our 2027/28 operating year.

What is a Licensed Legal Services Provider?

A Licensed Legal Services Provider (LP) is a business which is licensed to provide legal services to the public. It differs from a traditional legal practice because of who can own the LP. Traditional legal practice can only be owned by regulated solicitors whereas LPs can be owned by other individuals.

Allowing non-solicitor ownership means solicitors could set up in partnership with other professionals, such as surveyors, accountants or architects, and promote existing senior, non-solicitor staff to partner level and allow LPs to seek external capital. It will also allow for new providers of legal services to enter the market.

Like traditional law firms, the legal services provided by the LP are regulated which means clients can expect the same standards of service, advice and consumer protections as they would from a legal practice.

Who regulates LPs?

The Law Society of Scotland is the only approved regulator of LPs in Scotland. Approval was granted on application to the Scottish Government. The legislation limits the number of regulators to three.

What does it mean for clients?

Once introduced, consumers could expect to have wider access to legal services. Clients will still be able to expect the same standards of service, advice and consumer protection from LPs as they would from solicitor practices.

Will there be the same level of client protection?

Yes, in respect of the legal services. Part of the regulatory set up for LPs is a robust complaints procedure comparable with the complaints procedure for traditional legal firms. Similarly, all LPs must carry professional indemnity insurance and contribute to the Law Society of Scotland's Client Protection Fund.

When can I apply?

A launch date is not yet available.

Following the introduction of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act, there will be a range of amendments to the licensed provider regime. Our Regulatory Committee has taken the decision to pause further work on licensed providers until operating year 2027/28 to prioritise delivery of key parts of the new 2025 Act in the short term. This includes work on a new system of business-level regulation of Scotland's 1,200 existing law firms and the implementation of improvements to the complaints system.

We remain committed to establishing a regulatory regime for LPs in the medium term.

We will keep our members updated on when applications can be submitted.