Mr. Michael J. FosterTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action has been taken to address the problems faced by the Law Society and the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors about the handling of complaints. [93792]
§ Mr. VazThe performance in the handling of complaints by the Law Society has been deteriorating to an unacceptable level. The Government have therefore amended the Access to Justice Bill to allow for a Legal Services Complaints Commissioner to be appointed. The Commissioner would oversee the handling of complaints by the legal professional bodies. The Lord Chancellor hopes not to have to appoint a Commissioner, but will do so if the situation does not improve significantly.
The Lord Chancellor has written to Robert Sayer, the President of the Law Society, to set down the improvements in performance by the Law Society and the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors that could persuade the Government that it was unnecessary to introduce a Commissioner. Copies of this letter have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.