1. Research Strategy Group 23 February 2017

2. Agenda LSB research update Dissemination activity
Investment Research - ABS survey
Measuring market change following CMA report
SRA – behavioural insights research
AOB
Legal Services Board

3. 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

4. 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 Ipsos Mori
Prices of Individual Consumer Legal Services OMB
Small Business Legal needs Kingston University
Market Evaluation 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

5. Measuring market change following the CMA report

6. SRA behavioural insights research

7. Any other business
Legal Services Board

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