Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Section 13 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 provides that the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) shall regulate the provision of legal services by legal practitioners and shall ensure the maintenance and improvement of standards in the provision of such services in the State.

The Deputy may wish to note that, in performing its functions in that regard, the LSRA inter alia has regard to the objectives of promoting and maintaining adherence to certain professional principles. These professional principles include that legal practitioners shall act with independence and integrity, that they will act in the best interests of their clients, and that they will maintain proper standards of work.

The Deputy will appreciate that these are overarching principles and so apply regardless of any family relationship to the client. Subject to the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions.