Savings sought in complaints commission budget
The Law Society is to urge the Scottish Legal Complaints
Commission (SLCC) to look for further savings over and above the
0.5% reduction in its proposed annual budget.
Lorna Jack, Chief Executive of the Law Society, commented: "The
Commission has indicated that its expenditure will be down by half
of one percent on last year. However, we are urging them to
find further savings - without compromising the core and important
role they perform - so that the annual levy solicitors pay to fund
the organisation can be as low as possible in the coming year.
"Many of our members are facing difficult times economically.
Whilst we accept that the commission does not have the kind
of reserves to offset the levy as it did last year, we believe that
all efforts should be made to find further savings within the
proposed budget thereby lessening the impact of the proposed levy
increase."
Last year, the Society successfully lobbied the SLCC to use £1
million of its reserves, which meant that the levy was lower than
in previous years.
The proposed levy for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission
for the financial year 2012-2013 is:
- solicitors with three plus years experience, £338 (£209 for
2011-12);
- conveyancing & executry practitioners admitted three plus
years £338 (£209);
- solicitors in first three years of practice £169 (£105);
- conveyancing & executry practitioners in first three years
of practice £169 (£105);
- practising outwith Scotland £113 (£69);
- in-house conveyancing & executry practitioners £113
(£69);
- in-house solicitors £113 (£69)
One of the most significant changes in the budget this year is
the proposal to abolish the fee for resolving a complaint on the
recommendation of a complaints investigator. Instead, the SLCC has
the discretion to charge a case fee of up to £5,000 if a complaint
is upheld at the determination stage.
he Law Society is required to collect the levy payments from
solicitors on behalf of the SLCC. The levy funds the SLCC's annual
budget, which this financial year (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013)
is forecast to be £2,813,381, largely funded by the levy.
Members can respond directly to the SLCC during the
consultation. Alternatively, they can have their views included in
the Society's response. To do so they should contact slcclevy@lawscot.org.uk by
29 February.
The SLCC have indicated that they will publish the responses by
31 March. The budget is due to be laid before the Scottish
Parliament on 30 April for approval.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Journalists can
contact Suzy Powell on 0131 476 8115. For the out of hours service
please call 0131 226 7411.
Email: suzypowell@lawscot.org.uk or valeriemcewan@lawscot.org.uk
ENDS
15 February 2012