The Co-operative Group has welcomed the publication of the draft Legal Services Bill.
Eddie Ryan, managing director of Co-operative Legal Services (CLS), said: "We welcome both the publication and contents of today's Bill and view it as an important step in improving the breadth and quality of legal services available to consumers in the UK.
"By tackling in one go both the governance and provision issues which have hindered progress in this sector for years, the Bill goes further than many people could have imagined.
"The Bill, when fully implemented, will offer much for consumers. An umbrella regulator should raise the bar in terms of standards, whilst the establishment of Alternative Business Structures (ABS) will increase competition, consumer choice and access."
