LSB publishes next stage consultation on appeals mechanisms around ABS

23 August 2010

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has today published a consultation on proposals to establish the appeals mechanism on decisions of Licensing Authorities under the Alternative Business Structures (ABS) framework.

Licensing Authorities (LAs) will be at the centre of the ABS licensing system. Bodies granted the power to act as a Licensing Authority by the LSB will have a number of powers – including the ability to grant licences to bodies wishing to become an ABS, to impose a financial penalty on a licensed body, to disqualify individuals from holding certain posts within the licensed body and to revoke the body’s licence.

Provisions need to be made for a body to hear and determine appeals against these decisions. In November 2009, the LSB set out its proposals that the General Regulatory Chamber of the First-Tier Tribunal perform this function. This latest consultation develops that proposal and seeks to test the Board’s latest thinking around implementation.

Approved regulators will be able to apply to the LSB for designation as an LA from October 2010, with the first ABS becoming licensed by 6 October 2011.

Responses to the consultation should be submitted by the end of business on Friday 12 November 2010.