LSRA reports progress on reforms to broaden access to legal professions
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Niamh Muldoon
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) has welcomed progress on the implementation of recommendations to address barriers facing aspiring and early career solicitors and barristers.
Developments include expanded training routes, increased financial supports and diversity initiatives are set out in the third progress report, published this morning, which covers the period from October 2025 to March 2026.
The recommendations were originally set out in the LSRA’s Breaking Down Barriers report in January 2024, which identified a range of measures to support broader access to legal education, training and early career opportunities, with the aim of enhancing diversity within the legal professions.
During the reporting period, activity has focused on building a shared understanding of the recommendations, progressing key areas through consultation, and supporting the development of practical measures to address identified barriers.
The report also highlights a number of developments progressed by the professional bodies, including:
- the expansion of flexible and non-traditional training routes;
- enhanced outreach and access initiatives;
- additional financial supports for training, including targeted grants;
- the development of a “best practice protocol” to support the timely payment of barristers’ fees; and
- ongoing initiatives to promote equality, diversity and inclusion across the professions.
Niamh Muldoon, chief executive officer of the LSRA, said: “This report reflects the continued work across the sector to address barriers to legal education, training and early career opportunities, and to support a more inclusive legal services sector in the public interest.
“The LSRA will continue to play a central role in driving the implementation of these recommendations, working the with professional bodies to ensure that the measures being implemented translate into meaningful change.
“I acknowledge the significant work undertaken by the professional bodies in developing and delivering a number of these initiatives. The next phase of implementation will focus on embedding these measures within existing structures and broadening access and opportunity across the legal professions.”
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