Legal Ombudsman
Legal Ombudsman to launch online complaints portal
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) is to launch a complaints portal this month that will enable lawyers to manage all of their contact with the organisation online. LeO will also encourage consumers to manage their complaint through the portal.
Legal Ombudsman outlines test for dealing with complaints about MDPs
The Legal Ombudsman has introduced a policy for dealing with complaints about organisations which provide non-legal as well as legal services, such as some alternative business structures and, shortly, accountants who offer probate advice.
LeO to review internal guidelines after barrister cleared of misconduct
The Legal Ombudsman has announced that it will be reviewing its internal guidance after a barrister was cleared of misconduct because LeO failed to share information.
Barrister cleared of misconduct because of ombudsman’s “failure to co-operate”
The Bar Disciplinary Tribunal has told the Legal Ombudsman that “co-operation is a two-way process”, in a case involving a failure to share information with the lawyer who was the subject of a complaint.
New Legal Ombudsman chair pushes for jurisdiction over all legal services providers
The new chair of the Office for Legal Complaints – which oversees the Legal Ombudsman – has outlined his ambition for the service to cover unregulated providers of legal services and those offering legal advice as part of a wider package.
Division of claims complaints costs unfair, says First4Lawyers
The Ministry of Justice proposals on how the Legal Ombudsman’s costs for handling complaints against claims management companies are recovered disproportionally penalises those working in personal injury, a leading marketing collective has argued.
Increasing number of clients “can’t be bothered to complain” about their lawyer
Public awareness of the Legal Ombudsman is continuing to fall, while the number of dissatisfied clients who do not bother to complain is increasing, a survey has found.
CMCs to pay up to £40,000 each to benefit from Legal Ombudsman
Claims management companies will have to pay a separate ‘Lord Chancellor’s complaints fee’ of up to £40,000 on top of their annual regulation fee with the shift in complaints handling from the Ministry of Justice to the Legal Ombudsman.
LeO: make conveyancers answer to HMRC for stamp duty failings
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has suggested that conveyancers, rather than clients, should answer to HMRC when stamp duty payments fail to arrive.
High Court overturns “unlawful” Legal Ombudsman decision to cut firm’s fees
The High Court has struck down an “unlawful and irrational” Legal Ombudsman decision to reduce a law firm’s fee and compensate its client for distress and inconvenience.
Blog
Succession (Season 5) – Santa looks to the future
It’s time for the annual Christmas blog from Nigel Wallis, consultant at Legal Futures Associate O’Connors Legal Services.
The COLP and management 12 days of Christmas checklist
Leading up to Christmas this year, it might be a quieter time to reflect on trends, issues and regulation, and how they might impact your firm.
The next wave of AI: what’s really coming in 2025
The most exciting battle in artificial intelligence isn’t unfolding in corporate labs; it’s happening in the open-source community.
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