Allow legal professionals to conduct litigation without being solicitors
Amend the Legal Services Act 2007 to recognise experienced legal professionals (e.g., paralegals or fee earners with 10+ years' experience) as eligible to conduct litigation without requiring full solicitor authorisation.
Signatures
42
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 42/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 42/100,000
- 15 APR 2026Petition closedFinal total: 42 signatures
- 15 OCT 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
We ask the Government to create a pathway under the Legal Services Act 2007 that allows experienced legal professionals, such as paralegals and non-solicitor fee earners to obtain litigation rights. This would apply where individuals can demonstrate substantial, relevant experience, good character and competence.
This could be achieved either by:
*Alternative authorisation routes for non-solicitors via the SRA or another regulator or;
*Expand the definition of “authorised person” under the Act.