*/
The Legal Ombudsman will begin considering client complaints on 6 October. The new service, which has been created by the Legal Ombudsman (“LeO”), will handle all complaints from lay clients about barristers, solicitors and other types of legal professional.
Chief Ombudsman, Adam Sampson said: “I believe that lawyers in particular should feel relieved that we are on track to open in October.
“Bringing together redress for legal services within one independent body represents good value for money for the profession as well as giving everyone –consumers and lawyers – greater confidence in the system.”
The LeO will have powers to fine barristers up to £30,000. However, it will not be involved in the investigation of complaints of professional misconduct or in disciplinary issues.
Conduct issues relating to barristers will remain with the Bar Standards Board (“BSB”) as will all complaints which were made before 6 April 2010.
Lay clients have a time limit to make a complaint of one year from the act or omission or the time they should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint.
Chief Ombudsman, Adam Sampson said: “I believe that lawyers in particular should feel relieved that we are on track to open in October.
“Bringing together redress for legal services within one independent body represents good value for money for the profession as well as giving everyone –consumers and lawyers – greater confidence in the system.”
The LeO will have powers to fine barristers up to £30,000. However, it will not be involved in the investigation of complaints of professional misconduct or in disciplinary issues.
Conduct issues relating to barristers will remain with the Bar Standards Board (“BSB”) as will all complaints which were made before 6 April 2010.
Lay clients have a time limit to make a complaint of one year from the act or omission or the time they should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint.
The Legal Ombudsman will begin considering client complaints on 6 October. The new service, which has been created by the Legal Ombudsman (“LeO”), will handle all complaints from lay clients about barristers, solicitors and other types of legal professional.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group
Modernising communication and collaboration at a leading Chancery set. A Zexi case study
How to build profile without compromising professional duties. By Naumaan Farooq, Co-Founder of Inked PR
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the role of cut-off levels, and the wider range of factors that must be considered when interpreting results for family court proceedings
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
A decade of reviews and research has disrupted accepted thinking in the search for causality. Suicides following abuse have overtaken domestic homicides. Is the law keeping up? Professor Susan Edwards KC (Hon) examines recent cases and the obstacles to successful prosecution
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
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Lauren Fullerton examines the how, what and why of setting up a second chambers base
