Legal services does not have a fixed definition, but can mean all manner of advice and representation relating to the law and provided in a number of different ways.
In many instances those who provide legal services to the public are subject to regulation, mainly emanating from the framework of the Legal Services Act 2007.
Within legal services, there are specific tasks – reserved legal activities – that can only be undertaken by those who are authorised to do so and who will are subject to regulation. These include the conduct of litigation and the exercise of rights of audience before the courts.
Legal services which are not reserved legal activities can be provided by anyone without legal regulation, this includes giving legal advice, or representing a client in at a tribunal or hearing where there are no requirements for rights of audience.