§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many complaints he received each year about the Law Society's regulatory function.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe figures are not centrally available, and could be acquired only at a disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his assessment of the effectiveness of the self-regulatory system for solicitors.
Mr. John M. TaylorSelf-regulation is the most effective way of maintaining standards in professional life in general. It is particularly important that citizens with disputes, against other citizens, institutions or the state, have access to a completely independent legal profession. The Government are thus committed to the principle that in the first instance the maintenance of professional standards among solicitors should be the responsibility of the Law Society. To reinforce public confidence, the Government have also established the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman, to provide independent scrutiny of the way the Law Society carries out its duties, and who may advise on the effectiveness of its complaints-handling procedures. His 1993 annual report contains a summary of recommendations.