Law Society of Scotland – Complaints Against Solicitors
Changes to the Complaints System
Most people are fully satisfied with the service they receive from their solicitor. Occasionally, there is a problem and a complaint is made. The system for making complaints against solicitors changed with the opening of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission on 1 October 2008. From that date, all complaints must be sent to the Commission in the first instance. It decides if a complaint relates to a service provided or the conduct of a solicitor and whether the Commission or the Society or both should investigate the matter.
The Commission can be contacted on T: 0131 528 5111.
Time Limits
It is always best to investigate complaints as soon as possible after the event, when memories are fresh and paperwork is intact and available. The Society and the Commission investigate complaints made within a year of the business being completed or the matter coming to the complainer’s attention. The Society’s time limit is only relaxed in very exceptional circumstances.
Further Information
It is important to us that the Society’s complaints process is open to all. We can send you a hard copy of our information leaflets and can, on request, provide them in different formats such as Braille, large print, on cassette or in other languages.
You can also use the textphone service, so if you have hearing or speech problems we can talk with you using this service. Our textphone number is: 0131 476 8359.
If you have any requirements we should take into account or if you wish to discuss your complaint, please contact our Regulation Department on : 0845 113 0018.
