Independent Body For Complaints Against Solicitors

EDM number 644 in 1996-97, proposed by Gerry Sutcliffe on 12/03/1997.

That this House notes the continuing high level of public dissatisfaction with the existing system for dealing with complaints against solicitors currently operated by the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, which is funded and run by solicitors employing non-transparent rules of investigation entwined in cumbersome and time-consuming procedures perpetuating the perception that the complaints system exists to protect solicitors and deny the complainant justice, as further exemplified by the fact that out of some 20,000 complaints a year only around 250 (1.25 per cent) are upheld and that they are limited to derisory levels of compensation; and believes that the establishment of an independent body led by commercially experienced people with powers to investigate complaints against solicitors and to determine and award compensation for financial loss would remedy the continuing imbalance inherent in the present system, restore confidence in the profession and lead to a reduction in the number of complaints, while disciplinary action and all other regulation would remain with the Law Society.

This motion has been signed by a total of 29 MPs.