§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the complaints procedures applying(a) to solicitors and (b) to barristers; and if he will make a statement.[R] [81095]
§ Mr. HoonGovernment plans for the handling of complaints about members of the legal professional bodies were announced during the Second Reading of the Access to Justice Bill on 14 April 1999, Official Report, columns 230–325. There is currently a good deal of public concern that the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors is failing to deal adequately with complaints. The Government share this concern. We therefore propose to establish a new post with the responsibility for setting targets for complaints handling and making recommendations about complaints systems. These powers would, however, be held in reserve unless and until the professions are seen not to be making real progress; that progress will be measured against targets which the bodies would be encouraged to set. The new powers would cover all the authorised bodies including the Law Society, the Bar Council and the Institute of Legal Executives.