Clause 109
Legal Services Bill [Lords]
2:30 pm
Simon Hughes (Party President, Cross-Portfolio and Non-Portfolio Responsibilities; North Southwark and Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat)
Does the Minister anticipate that, under the clause, it is inevitable and obvious that the Government are likely to advance some provisions in relation to links between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and Ireland? Clearly, the clause will deal with any foreign jurisdiction. However, although we have separate legal systems within the United Kingdom, there are common interests and practices in the three different legal jurisdictions in terms of professional background, and so on—and in relation to Ireland as well. Perhaps the Minister could shed some light on the implications of the clause, which is reasonable and proper but hints at more than it tells us.