How does the Legal Ombudsman differ from the Legal Complaints Service? Aren you just the same thing in a different guise?
There are several really important differences. First, the Legal Ombudsman provides a new approach to handling complaints about legal services in England and Wales. It’s a fresh start. We will provide a more streamlined, efficient and effective way of resolving complaints about lawyers. Secondly, we are completely independent from the legal profession – not a subsidiary or operating arm of any other body. And although we are ultimately accountable to Parliament (under the Legal Services Act 2007), our management, decision-making processes and funding do not depend on the government of the day. Finally, as a one-stop-shop, the Legal Ombudsman can consider complaints about legal services provided by the full range of legal practitioners registered in England and Wales – from solicitors to barristers. We are bringing all legal service complaint handling under one roof for the first time.
