Monisha Shah to lead oversight regulator for Legal Services in England and Wales
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed the appointment of Monisha Shah as chair of the Legal Services Board for a four-year term beginning on 1 April 2026.
The appointment was approved by the Lord Chancellor following a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing conducted by the Justice Select Committee on 25 March 2026. The committee subsequently published its report on 27 March.
The Legal Services Board acts as the oversight regulator for legal services in England and Wales. It supervises eight frontline regulators responsible for day-to-day regulation across the sector. It also has oversight responsibilities in relation to the Office for Legal Complaints, which administers the Legal Ombudsman, and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
The board operates independently of both government and the legal profession under the framework established by the Legal Services Act 2007. Its role includes ensuring that regulation across the sector is effective, proportionate and aligned with statutory objectives.
Monisha Shah brings extensive experience in governance and regulation. She currently serves as chair of Publishers’ Licensing Services and co-chair of the Copyright Licensing Agency. She is also chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel and a council member of the Advertising Standards Authority.
Her previous roles include non-executive positions at the Office for Students, the Ofcom Content Board and the Arts and Humanities Research Council. She has also been a member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. In addition, she serves as a trustee of the Royal Collection Trust and Art Fund, and chairs the board of trustees at Caterham School.
Appointments to the Legal Services Board are made by the Lord Chancellor in consultation with the Lady Chief Justice, in accordance with the Legal Services Act 2007. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and must comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
The appointment places Ms Shah at the head of the body responsible for overseeing the regulation of legal services across England and Wales, with responsibility for ensuring accountability and consistency across multiple regulators.