Our views on matters
The Birmingham Law Society is consulted by many bodies and organisations for its views on matters.
These include national and local government, The Law Society of England and Wales, the Solicitors Regulation Authority as well as independent inquiries. The Society has a number of specialist groups which contribute their expertise to the work of the Professional Regulation Committee. Responses to these consultations are then prepared on behalf of the Society by the Committee and sent out by the President.
A list of recent consultations and the response to each on behalf of the Society follows.
Jayne Willetts, Chair of the Professional Regulation Committee
2024
» Response to the Government Consultation on clarifications to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) and abolishing the legal framework for European Works Councils – 11.07.2024
» Response to the Government Consultation on Possible changes to the Employment Tribunal Rules – 25.06.2024
» Response to Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Consultation on Introducing Fees in the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal – 22.03.2024
2023
» Response to The Law Society Consultation on New Code for Signing and Exchanging Property Contracts – 30.11.2023
» Response to SRA Consultation on CILEX Proposals – 15.11.2023
» Response to Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Consultation on Fixed Recoverable Costs – 08.09.2023
» Response to Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Consultation on Open Justice – 16.08.2023
» Response to Working Time Holiday Pay and TUPE – 06.07.2023
» Response to Legal Services Board Call for Evidence on misuse of non-disclosure agreements – 05.07.2023
» Response to the Senior President of Tribunals’ Consultation from the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary on Panel Composition in the Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal – 27.04.23
» Response to the Government consultation on Draft Code of Practice on dismissal and re-engagement – 18.04.23
» Response to the Government consultation on Calculating holiday entitlement for part-year and irregular hours workers – 09.03.23
2022
» Response to SRA Consultation on Consumer Protection for post six-year negligence – 13.12.22
» Response to SRA Consultation on Financial Penalties – Detail of New Approach – 26.10.22
» Birmingham Law Society Dispute Resolution Committee response to the Civil Justice Council costs working group’s Consultation paper on costs – 14.10.22
» Response to SRA Discussion paper – next steps on the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) and consumer protection for negligence claims – 24.08.22
» Response to SRA Consultation on Publication of Regulatory Decisions – 01.07.22
» Response to the Government Consultation on the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review – 06.06.22
» Response to SRA Consultation on Restoring the Annual Keeping of the Roll Exercise – 17.05.22
» Response to SRA Consultation on Rule Changes for Health & Well-being at work – 06.05.22
» Response to Government Consultation on Benefits and Barriers to Disability workforce reporting – 08.04.22
» Response to HM Government Consultation on Reforming the Leasehold & Commonhold systems in England & Wales – 22.02.22
» Response to SRA Consultation on Solicitors Indemnity Fund – 08.02.22
» Response to SRA Consultation Paper on Financial Penalties – 03.02.22
» Response to the Civil Justice Council’s Interim Report on the review of Pre-Action Protocols – 28.01.22
2021
» Response to the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Call for Evidence – 11.06.21
» Response to the SRA Consultation on Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII): affirmative cyber cover – 20.05.21
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Independent review of criminal legal aid: Call for Evidence – 06.05.21
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Judicial Review: Proposals for Reform – 29.04.21
» Response to the CJC Consultation on Guideline hourly rates – 30.03.21
» Response to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Consultation on measures to reform post-termination non-compete clauses in contracts of employment – 26.02.21
» Response to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Consultation on Exclusivity Clauses – 26.02.21
» Response to the Legal Services Board Consultation on draft strategy for the legal services sector and draft LSB business plan 2021-22 – 25.01.21
2020
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Independent Review of Administrative Law – 26.10.20
» Response to the Justice Committee inquiry into The Future of Legal Aid – 16.10.20
» Response to Ministry of Justice consultation on Judicial Mandatory Retirement Age – 16.10.20
» Response to Sentencing Council consultation on Assault offences – 09.09.20
» Response to Ministry of Justice consultation on Non-contentious probate: mandating online professional applications – 09.09.20
» Letter to Legal Aid Agency re Proposals for Saturday Bail Courts – 24.08.20
» Response to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) consultation on post-EU reforms for British Courts – 18.08.2020
» Response to Carers Leave – 22.07.2020
» Response of Birmingham Law Society Consultation Committee on Land Registry Draft Guidance on Electronic Signatures – 16.07.2020
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation on the Criminal Legal Aid Review: An accelerated package of measures amending the criminal legal aid fee schemes – 26.03.20
» Response to the SRA Consultation on Protecting users of legal services – prioritising payments from the SRA Compensation Fund – 20.03.20
» Response to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal Consultation on the amendments to the policy on the provision of documents to non-parties – 06.01.20
2019
» Response to the Legal Ombudsman Discussion Paper “Transparency and Reporting Impact” – 09.12.19
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Assuring Advocacy Standards – 23.10.19
» Response to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Consultation – Transparency: Flexible working and family related leave and pay policies – 11.10.19
» Response to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy / Low Pay Commission Consultation – Good Work Plan: one-sided flexibility – addressing unfair flexible working practices – 07.10.19
» Response to the Department of Work and Pensions / Department of Health and Social Care Consultation – Health is everyone’s business: proposal to reduce ill health-related job loss – 04.10.19
» Response to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Consultation – Establishing a new Single Enforcement Body for employment rights – 04.10.19
» Response to the Government Equalities Office Consultation – Sexual Harassment in the Workplace – 02.10.19
» Response to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Consultation – Supporting parents of babies requiring neonatal care – 19.09.19
» Response to the BCC Consultation – Statement of Community Involvement – 06.09.19
» Response to the Sentencing Council Consultation – Overarching Principles: Sentencing offenders with mental health conditions or disorders – 09.07.19
» Response to the HM Treasury Consultation – Restricting exit payments in the public sector – 02.07.19
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation – Extending Fixed Recoverable Costs in civil cases in England and Wales – 06.06.19
» Birmingham Law Society Response to HMRC Consultation Off-payroll working rules – 30.04.19
» Response to the Law Commission Consultation – Leasehold Home Ownership: Exercising the right to manage – 30.04.19
» Response to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – Confidentiality clauses: consultation on measures to prevent misuse in situations of workplace harassment or discrimination – 15.04.19
» Response to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – Pregnancy and maternity discrimination: extending redundancy protection for women and new parents – 05.04.19
» House of Commons Justice Committee inquiry on HMCTS Court and Tribunal Reforms – 11.03.19
» Response from the Criminal Law Committee
» Response from the Family Law Committee
» Response from the Personal Injury Committee
» Response to the Law Commission Consultation – Ethnicity Pay Reporting – 10.01.19
» Response to the Law Commission Consultation – Employment Law Hearing Structures – 10.01.19
» Leasehold home ownership – BLS Consultation response – 07.01.19
2018
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Reporting Concerns – 07.09.2018
» Response to the Sentencing Council Consultation – General guideline for offences not covered by specific guidance – 31.08.18
» Response to the Law Commission Consultation – Search Warrants – 31.08.18
» Letter to the Legal Services Board re SRA Handbook: application for approval of amendments – 28.08.18
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Protecting the users of legal services: balancing cost and access to legal services – 14.06.2018
» Response to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – The Taylor Review on Modern Working Practices – Employment status – 31.05.18
» Response to the Home Office and Ministry of Justice Consultation – Transforming the response to domestic abuse – 31.05.18
» Response to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – Parental bereavement leave and pay – 22.05.18
» Response to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – The Taylor Review on Modern Working Practices – Increasing transparency in the labour market – 22.05.18
» Response to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – The Taylor Review on Modern Working Practices – Enforcement on employment rights recommendations – 15.05.18
» Response to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – The Taylor Review on Modern Working Practices – Agency workers’ recommendations – 08.05.18
» Response to the Law Commission’s Commonhold Call for Evidence – 16.04.18
2017
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Looking to the future: better information, more choice – 20.12.2017
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Looking to the future: Phase Two of our Handbook reforms – 20.12.2017
» Response to the Department of Communities and Local Government Call for Evidence on Improving the home buying and selling process – 16.12.2017
» Response to the The Law Society Consultation on Standard of proof applied by the SDT – 31.10.2017
» Response to the Government Equalities Office Consultation on Caste in Great Britain – 18.09.2017
» Response to the Department of Communities and Local Government on Tackling unfair practices in the leasehold market – 19.08.2017
» Response to the Department of Health Consultation on Fixed recoverable costs for clinical negligence claims – 02.05.2017
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation – Litigator’s Graduated Fee Scheme and court appointees – 24.03.2017
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation – Review of the Introduction of fees in Employment Tribunals – 14.03.2017
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation – Reforming the Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme – 27.02.2017
» Response to the Lord Jackson Review of Fixed Recoverable Costs (BLS Person Injury Committee’s response) – 30.01.2017
» Response to the Lord Jackson Review of Fixed Recoverable Costs (BLS Dispute Resolution Committee’s response) – 30.01.2017
» Response to Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy consultation on Reforming the Employment Tribunal System – 20.01.2017
» Response to the SRA Consultation – A new route to qualification: the Solicitors Qualifying Examination – 03.01.2017
2016
» Response to Government Equalities Office consultation on Mandatory Gender Pay Gap Reporting – 29.09.2016
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Looking to the Future: Flexibility and Public Protection – a phased review of our regulatory approach – 21.09.2016
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Looking to the Future: SRA Accounts Rules Review – 19.09.2016
» Response to the Low Pay Commission consultation on National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage – 29.07.2016
» Response to Department for Business Innovation & Skills consultation on Tips, gratuitites, cover and service charges: proposals for future action – 20.06.2016
» Response to Department for Business Innovation & Skills consultation on moving Land Registry operations to the private sector – 26.05.2016
» Response to Consultation on Compensation for Loss of Pension Rights in Employment Tribunals – 20.05.2016
» Response to Consultation on the Reduction in sentence for a guilty plea guideline – 03.05.2016
» Response to Department for Business Innovation & Skills consultation on Closed recruitment practices in the public sector – 14.04.2016
» Response to the Scottish Government consultation on Draft Order in Council (Scotland Bill) – 14.03.2016
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Training for tomorrow: Assessing competence – 01.03.2016
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation – Use of live links and telephone conferences – 09.02.2016
» Response to the HM Treasury consultation on Higher Rate SDLT – 01.02.2016
» Response to the HM Treasury consultation on Public Sector Exit Regulations – 22.01.2016
2015
» Response to The Law Society discussion paper on The Legal Ombudsman’s case fee and funding – 10.07.2015
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Regulatory Reform Programme – Improving Regulation: proportionate and targeted measures – 09.06.2015
» Response to the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills consultation on Employment Tribunals Postponements – 11.03.2015
» Response to The Law Society consultation How should Employment Tribunals operate in the future? – 19.02.2015
» Response to the Home Office consultation on Pre-charge bail: A consultation on the introduction of statutory time limits and related changes – 06.02.2015
» Response to the SRA Consultation – A Competence Statement for Solicitors – 12.01.2015
2014
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Regulation of Consumer Credit Activities – 15.12.2014
» Response to the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills on Trade Assured Register of Members – 13.11.2014
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Red Tape Initiative Phase 3: Changes to the SRA’s education and training regulations – 27.10.2014
» Response to the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills on Zero hours employment contracts: Banning exclusivity clauses: Tackling avoidance – 21.10.2014
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation on – Transforming Legal Aid: Crime duty contracts – 15.10.2014
» Response to the SRA Call for evidence: Client protection – 30.09.2014
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Proposals to reduce the regulatory burden: Keeping of the roll and residual client balances – 16.05.2014
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Red Tape Initiative: Residual client balances – 16.05.2014
» Response to the Department of Education Consultation – Adoption: Getting it Right, Making it Work – 10.04.2014
» Response to the Consultation on the Introduction of a Land Registry Service Delivery Company – 20.03.2014
» Response to the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills on Zero hours employment contracts – 24.02.2014
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Training for tomorrow: Regulation review – 24.02.2014
» Response to the SRA Consultation – Proposal to increase the SRA’s internal fining powers – 06.02.2014
» Response to the ACAS Consultation on the revision of paragraphs 15 and 36 of the Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures – 09.01.2014
2013
» Response to LSB Consultation on Legal education and training – 09.12.2013
» Response to LSB Consultation on Chairs of Regulatory Bodies – 18.11.2013
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation on – Transforming Legal Aid: The Next Steps – 31.10.2013
» Response to the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills on The Whistleblowing Framework Call for Evidence – 25.10.2013
» Response to the Department for Culture Media & Sport Consultation on Equal pay audits: a further consultation – 18.07.2013
» Response to the SRA Consultation on – Red Tape Initiative 2: Removing unnecessary regulations and simplifying processes – 27.06.2013
» Response to the PCaW Whistleblowing Commission Consultation – 20.06.2013
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation on – Transforming Legal Aid: Delivering a more credible and efficient system – 03.06.2013
» Response to the SRA Consultation on – Exercising the statutory power to pay the cost of firm interventions from the Compensation Fund – 30.05.2013
» Response to the Acas Consultation on – Draft Code of Practice on the extended right to request flexible working – 16.05.2013
» Response to the Department of Business Innovation and Skills Consultation on – Shared Parental Leave – 16.05.2013
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation on – Implementing the Coroner reforms in Part 1 of the Coroners and Justice Act – 15.04.2013
» Response to the Department of Business Innovation and Skills Consultation on – Reforming the regulatory framework for employment agencies and employment businesses – 10.04.2013
» Response to the ACAS Consultation on – Settlement Agreements Code – 09.04.2013
» Response to the Department of Business Innovation and Skills Consultation on – Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 – 08.04.2013
» Response to the Information Commissioner’s Consultation on – Subject access requests under the DPA – 14.02.2013
» Response to the Department for Business and Innovation Skills Consultation on – Early Conciliation – 14.02.2013
» Response to the SRA Consultation on – Removing regulatory restrictions and simplyfying processes (‘red tape initiative’) – 10.01.2013
2012
» Response to the Department for Business and Innovation Skills Consultation on – Ending the Employment Relationship – 22.11.2012
» Response to the Department for Business and Innovation Skills Consultation on – Employment Tribunal Rules – 22.11.2012
» Response to the Bar Standards Board Consultation on – Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates – 01.11.2012
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation on – Transforming the services of the Office of Public Guardian – 19.10.2012
» Response to the HMCTS Consultation on – The future arrangements for listing family work at Solihull Family Proceedings Court – 12.10.2012
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation on Proposals for the joint inspection multi-agency arrangements for the protection of children – 02.10.2012
» Response to the Department for Business and Innovation Skills Consultation on – Collective Redundancies: Consultation on Changes to the Rules – 17.09.2012
» Response to the SRA Consultation on – Independent Financial Advice – 07.09.2012
» Response to the Consultation on – Questions for the Seller in Residential Conveyancing – 19.04.2012
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation on Charging fees in Employment Law Tribunals & The Employment Appeal Tribunal – 06.03.2012
» Response to the Consultation on – Modernisation of Face to Face Services in the Civial & Family Courts – 02.03.2012
» Response to the Consultation on – Appointments & Diversity
» Response to the Consultation on – The Effectiveness of TUPE – 31.01.2012
2011
» Response to the Consultation on – The Civil Justice Council Working Party – Proportionality – 27.09.2011
» Response to the Consultation on – The Civil Justice Council Working Party – Part 36 – 27.09.2011
» Response to the Consultation on – The Civil Justice Council Working Party – QOCS – 27.09.2011
» Response to the Consultation on – The Civil Justice Review – 30.06.2011
» Response to the Consultation on – EHRC Reform – 10.06.2011
» Response to the Consultation on – Proposals for the Reform of Legal Aid in England & Wales – 11.02.2011
2010
» Response to the Consultation on – Legal Ombudsman – 10.09.2010
» Response to the SRA Consultation on – Outcomes-focused regulation Architecture of Change: the SRA’s New Handbook – 11.08.2010
» Response to the SRA Consultation on – Legal Practice Course: policy on accreditation of prior learning (APL) – 27.07.2010
» Response to the SRA Consultation on – Reform of the Coroner’s system – 30.06.2010
» Response to the Consultation paper on – Conflict and confidentiallity – 18.03.2010
» Response to the SRA Consultation on – Advocacy Standards – 18.03.2010
» Response to the SRA Consultation on – Achieving the Right Outcomes – 26.02.2010
» Response to the SRA Consultation on Indemnity Insurance Rules – Successor Practice Definition – 28.01.2010
» Response to the SRA Consultation on Assigned Risks Pool Review – 28.01.2010
» Response to the Consultation on – Moving towards a fairer fee policy – fee moderation for firms – 26.01.2010
» Response to the SRA Consultation on Moving toward a fairer fee policy – 22.01.2010
2009
» Response to the Ministry of Justice Consultation on Legal Aid: Funding Reforms – 12.11.2009
» Response to Lord Jackson’s Preliminary Report on Costs – 31.07.2009
» Response to LSC Consultation on Eligibility Rules for Membership of Duty Solicitor Schemes and Local Scheme Boundaries – 24.06.2009
» Response to LSC Consultation on Best Value Tendering – 15.06.2009
» Response to Eligibility Bill – a Government Consultation on Introducing Multiple Discrimination Provision – 05.06.2009
» Response to SRA Consultation on decision-making criteria – 08.05.2009
» Response to SRA Consultation on enhanced investigatory powers – 08.05.2009
» Response to SRA Consultation on Proposal for Mandatory Re-accreditation – 14.04.2009
» Response to the Call for Evidence by Lord Hunt of Wirrall MBE – 09.04.2009
» Open letter to the President of The Law Society on HIPs and Energy Performance Certificates – 19.02.2009
» Response to Ministry of Justice Consultation on Crown Court Means Testing – 28.01.2009
» Response to Ministry of Justice Consultation on the Award of Costs from Central Funds in Criminal Cases – 28.01.2009