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Rip it up and start again: Oliver Heald MP on legal services reform

This episode of the Law Report focuses on key legal service reforms, including the Legal Services Bill, the legal aid reforms and the Compensation Act.

This podcast is a free demonstration only, there is no accredited CPD for listening



The Legal Services Bill was introduced into the House of Lords in November 2006. It includes three major reforms of legal services regulation: a new Legal Services Board to oversee the regulation of the professions; a new and independent Office for Legal Complaints; and new rules to allow alternative business structures.

The legal aid reforms, based on the Carter review, proposed by the Government would bring in competitive tendering for legal aid contracts and set fixed fees for legal aid work. The reforms are the subject of ongoing challenges both in Parliament and the courts.

The Compensation Act 2006 regulates claims management companies and covers activities from simply referring claims to representing clients. The regulations came into force in April 2007.

The information in this podcast represented the legal position when it was recorded on 20/03/2007

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Aims and Outcomes

This podcast looks at the main changes to legal services being driven by government. It will enable legal professionals to get an in-depth understanding of the key political debates behind the reforms and some of the issues still to be resolved.

The interviewer for this podcast is Fraser Whitehead. The questions are set by Louise Restell.

Learning outcomes

After listening to the interview, you will understand:

  • Debates about the role of the Legal Services Board and the independence of the legal profession
  • Consumer confidence in the legal profession and how complaints handling could be improved
  • Issues around the introduction of alternative business structures, including the potential impact on legal professional privilege and access to justice
  • Concerns about the effect of the proposed legal aid reforms
  • How the personal injury compensation system could be improved
  • The future of high street solicitors.
Oliver Heald MP
Oliver Heald

Oliver Heald was born in 1954. He was educated at Reading School and Pembroke College, Cambridge (Ziegler Law Scholar, MA Hons Law). He is married and has a son and two daughters.

He was called to the Bar in 1977 and has practised as a barrister on the South Eastern Circuit. He is a specialist in employment law.

Oliver contested Southwark and Bermondsey in the General Election of June 1987. He was elected as Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire at the General Election of April, 1992. He is a Vice President of two Conservative associations.

He was Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Backbench Employment Committee 1992-94. He was a member of the Select Committee on Employment 1992-94. He is a member of the All Party Group on Pensions.

Oliver was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon William Waldegrave MP, Secretary of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from September 1994 until July 1995. In July 1995, Oliver was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Social Security and designated Benefit Fraud Minister.

He was an Opposition Whip, and was appointed Frontbench Spokesman for Home Affairs in February 2000. In September 2001, he was appointed as a Frontbench Spokesman for Health. In November 2002, he was promoted to Shadow Work and Pensions Minister. In November 2003, he was appointed Shadow Leader of the House.

Since September 2004, he has served as the Shadow Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, and he also acts as the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.