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David Dumas appointed CEO of Legal Services Regulatory Authority

Johnny Bugeja

Gibraltarian barrister David Dumas, QC, has been appointed as the first chief executive of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority [LSRA], a recently-created statutory body responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in Gibraltar.

Mr Dumas was appointed by the authority's board, which is chaired by Sir Peter Caruana, QC, and will permanently leave his legal practice as a senior partner of Hassans in order to take up the three-year post.

“We are delighted to have been able to select David for appointment from a field of applicants that included some other very strong candidates," Sir Peter said.

"David is one of Gibraltar’s most senior lawyers, he has a wealth of experience of the legal profession and its practice, and has also served as Chairperson of the Law Council - previously the Bar Council - for many years."

"The Board decided that these factors, together with his standing in the profession and the community, and the respect in which he is held by members of the legal profession, are the qualities required to ensure that the LSRA gets off to the right start in its important task of regulating the legal profession under the new statutory regime.”

The LSRA is constituted by the Legal Services Act and as its chief executive, Mr Dumas will have overall responsibility for its day-to-day operation.

This includes the registration requirements and regulation of the legal profession; the development and management of relevant policy, guidance and codes of practice; the application of relevant statutory responsibilities and functions; and the preliminary investigation of complaints.

The Chief Executive accounts to and works with the Board of the LSRA, of which he is an ex officio member, directly and through the Chairman.