Legal Services Ombudsman
In England and Wales, the Legal Services Ombudsman was a statutory officer that investigated allegations about the improper, ineffective or inefficient way that complaints about lawyers are handled by their respective self-regulating professional bodies. The Ombudsman is appointed by, and is answerable to, the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.[1] It has been abolished under the Legal Services Act 2007
The first Ombudsman was appointed to start work on 2 January 1991. During the first decade of operation, the office undertook 10,531 investigations:
- 9,456 complaints about solicitors;
- 1,036 complaints about barristers; and
- 39 complaints about licensed conveyancers.
Around 60% of the firms of solicitors in England and Wales and around 8% of practising barristers were subject of a complaint to the Ombudsman in that time.[2]
Powers[edit]
The Ombudsman could:[3]
- Recommend that the professional body re-investigate a complaint;
- Order the re-investigation;
- Formally criticise the professional body;
- Award compensation for distress or inconvenience.
There was also a power to re-investigate the original complaint but this is only used in exceptional circumstances.
Reform[edit]
With the passing of The Legal Services Act 2007 the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman was abolished. It has been replaced by the Office for Legal Complaints.[4] This body goes by the public name Legal Ombudsman.
References[edit]
- ^ Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, ss.21-26/ Sch.3
- ^ "Annual Report 2000-2001: Reflecting Progress" (PDF). Legal Services Ombudsman. 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
- ^ Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, s.23
- ^ Legal Services Act 2007, ss.114-159/ Sch.15
External links[edit]
- "Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman". Archived from the original on 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2008-03-08.