Reform of the Scottish legal complaints handling system looks set to go ahead as more than 90 per cent of respondents to the Scottish Executive’s consultation agree that reform is long overdue.
More than 280 organisations offered their views on how the complaints handling system should move forward during the Executive’s consultation and of that number only 15 spoke out for the retention of the current system.
The majority of those 15, who still support the system which sees legal bodies such as The Law Society of Scotland and The Faculty of Advocates investigate any complaints made against a legal firm or individual, where, in fact, believed to be from law firms or individuals with close ties to a law firm.
Firms to support the retention of the current system include Maclay Murray and Spens, Mitchells Roberton and Blackadders.
It is envisaged that a fully independent complaints-handling body will be introduced, which will be chaired by a lay person and consist of other lay people that are appointed by the Scottish Executive.