Many individuals throughout the world are finding it increasingly difficult to access a lawyer, and whilst many find the costs prohibitive there are countries in which so called 'legal deserts' are developing. Many young lawyers are drawn to the multi national firms in the larger towns and cities and there is an increasing phenomenon of small towns losing their lawyers to the big cities or older members of the profession who have been working in so called 'general practice' in these small towns retiring and no one is coming up behind them to replace them. Accordingly many people now face the prospect of having to travel hundreds of miles to be able to access a lawyer.

It is surely incumbent on the legal regulator to ensure that all citizens have access to a lawyer and therefore is there a role for regulators to address the development of 'legal deserts' and thus improve people's access to justice.