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As reported in the August edition of Bar News, on 6 October 2010 a new regime for dealing with complaints about the service provided by barristers to their clients will be introduced. On that date, the independent Legal Ombudsman scheme will commence operation and, under the terms of the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA 2007), the BSB will no longer have the ability to deal with service complaints. Instead, the handling of such complaints will fall to the Legal Ombudsman.
The Legal Ombudsman has greater powers than the BSB to resolve client service issues which include statutory powers to order payment of compensation/return of fees of up to £30,000, enforcement of orders through the High Court and the imposition on barristers of fees for handling complaints. From 6 October 2010, barristers will be obliged under the Code of Conduct to co-operate with the Legal Ombudsman and failure to do so could result in disciplinary action by the BSB. Further, the Legal Ombudsman will require that client
service complaints are considered first by the barrister’s chambers before referral to the Legal Ombudsman. It is therefore important that all barristers and Chambers ensure they have complaints procedures in place that meet the requirements of Annex S of the Code of Conduct.
If you require any further information about the Legal Ombudsman and the new regime for dealing with service complaints, please contact:
The Legal Ombudsman has greater powers than the BSB to resolve client service issues which include statutory powers to order payment of compensation/return of fees of up to £30,000, enforcement of orders through the High Court and the imposition on barristers of fees for handling complaints. From 6 October 2010, barristers will be obliged under the Code of Conduct to co-operate with the Legal Ombudsman and failure to do so could result in disciplinary action by the BSB. Further, the Legal Ombudsman will require that client
service complaints are considered first by the barrister’s chambers before referral to the Legal Ombudsman. It is therefore important that all barristers and Chambers ensure they have complaints procedures in place that meet the requirements of Annex S of the Code of Conduct.
If you require any further information about the Legal Ombudsman and the new regime for dealing with service complaints, please contact:
As reported in the August edition of Bar News, on 6 October 2010 a new regime for dealing with complaints about the service provided by barristers to their clients will be introduced. On that date, the independent Legal Ombudsman scheme will commence operation and, under the terms of the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA 2007), the BSB will no longer have the ability to deal with service complaints. Instead, the handling of such complaints will fall to the Legal Ombudsman.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
The case against judge-only justice – and why efficiency is not enough. By Professor Leslie Thomas KC
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Switching from a physical blue book to OneNote is simple, secure and game-changing, says Elizabeth Bowden – you’ll wonder how you managed without it...
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
