Bar Standards Board and Regulatory Partners Commission M·E·L Research For Study on Digital Exclusion in Legal Services
We are proud to announce that we have been appointed by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) to undertake an important research project aimed at understanding the experiences of digitally excluded clients or prospective clients within the legal and probate sectors. This initiative is part of a collaborative effort that includes four key regulatory bodies: the Bar Standards Board (BSB), CILEx Regulation Ltd (CRL), Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Commenting on the research, Mark Neale, the Director General of the Bar Standards Board, said:
”New technology presents significant opportunities for the delivery of legal services but can also present barriers for the digitally excluded. In our work to improve access to justice for everyone we believe that this research will help us to increase our understanding of the digitally excluded and how best regulators can assist them to overcome those barriers.”
In a world increasingly reliant on digital platforms for the delivery of services, the issue of digital exclusion has become a significant barrier for many. The research seeks to delve deep into the challenges faced by those on the wrong side of the digital divide and to formulate actionable strategies for service providers and regulators to enhance access and inclusion.
Elliot Simmonds, leading the study for M·E·L Research, alongside Gayle Higginson, shared his enthusiasm for the project:
“Having worked in the legal services sector across a number of projects and for a number of years, we as an agency understand the importance of these issues and as a result we are delighted to embark on this vital study alongside the Bar Standards Board and its partners. Understanding the nuances of digital exclusion is crucial in today’s society, and through this research, we aim to uncover the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing essential legal services. It is an opportunity to make a real difference in how services are provided to some of the potentially most vulnerable in our society and to play a small part in ensuring everyone has fair and equitable access to legal support when they need it.”
Digital exclusion is a multifaceted issue, encompassing lack of access, affordability, and digital literacy. This research recognises the importance of addressing these dimensions to ensure that everyone, regardless of their digital proficiency or access, can benefit from the opportunities provided by technology. By understanding the specific needs and challenges faced by digitally excluded individuals, the project aims to promote more inclusive service delivery models and regulatory practices.
As we move forward, M·E·L Research and the BSB are committed to sharing the insights gained from this study with the broader community of legal and accountancy service providers, regulatory bodies, and policymakers. It is hoped that the findings will not only inform but also inspire actionable changes that will significantly improve access to justice, particularly those currently underserved by the digital revolution.
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at Collections Inside & Out, a symposium hosted at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden, bringing together people working across gardens, horticulture, heritage, collections and interpretation.
I was, perhaps, a slight interloper among so many people with deep horticultural expertise but every presentation was incredibly interesting and I learned a lot – and broadly managed to follow the general flow of what was being said (still not 100% au fait with taxa…
We’re pleased to share that our Commercial Director, Elliot Simmonds, will be speaking at the Collections Inside & Out symposium at National Trust Chirk Castle & Garden on 24 September 2026. Bringing together professionals working across heritage collections, gardens and landscapes, the symposium will explore the relationship between indoor and outdoor heritage and the opportunities created by thinking about them as part of a connected visitor experience.
Elliot’s session, “Integrating Indoor…
M·E·L Research has been named the winner of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Social Value & Ethical Research 2026 at the UK Enterprise Awards.
The award recognises the values that shape both the work we choose to undertake and the way we deliver it. From building trauma-informed practices into our research to improving inclusion and reinvesting in the communities around us, social responsibility is part of how we operate every day.
M·E·L Research joined the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) at the House of Lords this week for the launch of a new report exploring the experiences of dyslexic young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET).
Tamsin Maries, Senior Research Manager, and Elliot Simmonds, Commercial Manager, represented M·E·L Research at the event…
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Across Europe, we have seen devastating wildfires destroy homes, habitats and communities. They offer us a powerful analogy for how we think about suicide prevention.
When a fire is raging, everything must be done to put it out. Firefighters, emergency services and communities mobilise to save lives. But even when the fire is eventually extinguished, enormous damage may already have been done, and recovery can take years. That is why fire services don’t only fight fires. They also invest in prevention: identifying risks, educating people, installing smoke alarms, creating fire breaks and trying to stop…
My son Jools was 14 years old when he died suddenly in April 2022. There was no note. There was no offline evidence that explained why he died. No one had seen or been aware of any adverse mental health issues, and at his original inquest the coroner could not be sure that Jools was in a suicidal mood. More than four years later, I am still trying to understand what happened to my son. Yet one enormous part of Jools’ life was not properly explored following his death: his digital world. Like almost every teenager, Jools had a life on his phone. Social…
