Legal Services Board drops planned diversity statutory policy statement
The Legal Services Board said on October 1, 2026, that it will not proceed with a draft statutory statement of policy on diversity after a November 2025–March 2026 consultation, keeping 2017 statutory guidance instead. Legal Futures reported consultation pushback on resources and cross-regulator fit; chair Monisha Shah said the board is concentrating on fewer consumer-risk priorities.
Text (Legal Services Board) → · Legal Futures
Key points
- The LSB will not proceed with the draft statutory statement of policy at this time.Legal Services BoardLegal Futures
- 2017 statutory guidance on encouraging a diverse workforce remains in force.Legal Services BoardLegal Futures
- Consultation ran from November 2025 to March 2026 and drew mixed views on regulatory fit.Legal Services Board
- Respondents warned of resource burdens, especially for small firms with limited HR capacity.Legal Services BoardLegal Futures
- The SRA had said a proposed remedial-action rule on EDI disparities went too far.Legal Futures
- Chair Monisha Shah said the LSB is focusing resources on pressing consumer risks and innovation.Legal Services BoardLegal Futures