Research Strategy Group 23 February 2017
Agenda LSB research update Dissemination activity Investment Research - ABS survey Measuring market change following CMA report SRA – behavioural insights research AOB Legal Services Board
LSB Research update: 16-17 In development: Vulnerable consumers research - Consumers unmet legal needs Key Regulatory Objective: protecting and promoting the interests of consumers A study to establish the experience of consumers in a defined range of vulnerable circumstances. The research is on track for completion by the end of March 2017, and being undertake by Research Works. Initial fieldwork of 60 Interviews with individuals with (and carers for such individuals) mental health problems and dementia is nearly complete. We will publish a report and short video for each vulnerability - expected to be in Q1 2017/18. We are also exploring opportunities for maximising the impact of this research. Investment research – measuring the impacts of reform Key Regulatory Objective: promoting competition in the provision of services in the legal sector Following a workshop with representatives from the legal and financial industries we launched a survey of Alternative Business Structures (ABS) running from December – February 2017 (early results in following slide) We have approached a wide range of investors but have only secured 3 interview with investors and potential investors out of target of 5. Publication at the end of April. Understanding changes in prices of legal services – measuring the impacts of reform Key Regulatory Objective: promoting competition in the provision of services in the legal sector. Researcher: OMB appointed. Fieldwork started and due to close end of March. Analysis and reporting to be done in house. Expect to publish July 2017. Small Business Legal Needs survey - Consumers unmet legal needs Key Regulatory Objective: improving access to justice. To update the 2015 survey and understand how small business consumers responses to legal problems has changed. Researcher: Survey will be undertaken externally, with some analysis and reporting to be done in house. Tender for the survey closes on 23 February. Legal Services Board
Dissemination Our research has been extensively used by the CMA in its final report. Main references were taken from (in order fo frequency): Individual consumers legal needs 2016 - Ipsos Mori Prices of Individual Consumer Legal Services 2016 - OMB Small Business Legal needs 2015 - Kingston University Market Evaluation 2016 - LSB Barriers to Entry, Exit, and Mergers, RPI LSB presented research findings at the following conferences since last meeting: Caroline Wallace presented to the Notary Training Conference in October Caroline Wallace presented to the Westminster Policy Forum in January. LSB written articles on related to research findings since last meeting: Robert Cross article to promote the Investment research work in Modern Law Magazine. Robert Cross 2015 interview published in the Voices of Modern Regulation section of Democratizing Legal Services: Obstacles and Opportunities book. Chris Nichols article on Unregulated Providers - Getting to know the Competition published in Modern Law Magazine. Legal Services Board
Measuring market change following the CMA report
SRA behavioural insights research
Any other business Legal Services Board
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