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The Legal Services Board (LSB) is an independent body that regulates legal services in England and Wales. It was established in 2007 to promote competition, improve consumer choice, and protect the public interest in the provision of legal services.
The LSB has a number of powers to investigate and resolve complaints about legal services. These powers include the ability to:
- Investigate complaints about individual lawyers or law firms
- Impose disciplinary sanctions on lawyers and law firms
- Refer cases to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Bar Standards Board (BSB)
- Make recommendations to the Lord Chancellor on changes to the law or regulation of legal services
In this article, we will discuss the process for making a complaint to the LSB, the types of complaints that the LSB can investigate, and the possible outcomes of a complaint.
legal services board complaints
Independent body for complaints
- Investigate and resolve
- Disciplinary sanctions
Protect public interest
Investigate and resolve
The LSB has a dedicated team of investigators who are responsible for investigating complaints about legal services. The team is made up of lawyers, accountants, and other professionals with experience in the legal sector.
When the LSB receives a complaint, it will first assess the complaint to see if it is within its jurisdiction. If the complaint is within its jurisdiction, the LSB will then open an investigation. The investigation will typically involve the LSB contacting the complainant and the respondent to gather evidence and information.
The LSB may also appoint an independent expert to investigate the complaint. The expert will be someone with specialist knowledge of the area of law in question. The expert will provide the LSB with a report on their findings.
Once the investigation is complete, the LSB will decide whether or not to take any further action. If the LSB decides to take further action, it may:
- Issue a warning to the respondent
- Impose a fine on the respondent
- Suspend or remove the respondent from the Roll of Solicitors or the Bar Roll
- Refer the case to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Bar Standards Board (BSB)
The LSB is committed to resolving complaints fairly and efficiently. The LSB will always aim to reach a resolution that is in the best interests of the complainant and the public.
Disciplinary sanctions
The LSB has the power to impose a range of disciplinary sanctions on lawyers and law firms. The type of sanction that is imposed will depend on the seriousness of the complaint and the lawyer’s or law firm’s previous disciplinary record.
- Warning
A warning is a formal statement that is issued to a lawyer or law firm. The warning will state that the LSB has found that the lawyer or law firm has breached the LSB’s Code of Conduct. The warning will also state that the lawyer or law firm must take steps to improve their conduct.
- Fine
The LSB can impose a fine of up to £2,000 on a lawyer or law firm. The fine will be used to cover the LSB’s costs in investigating the complaint.
- Suspension
The LSB can suspend a lawyer or law firm from practising for a period of time. The period of suspension will depend on the seriousness of the complaint. During the period of suspension, the lawyer or law firm will not be able to provide legal services.
- Removal from the Roll of Solicitors or the Bar Roll
The LSB can remove a lawyer from the Roll of Solicitors or the Bar Roll. This means that the lawyer will no longer be able to practise law in England and Wales.
The LSB will always take into account the following factors when deciding what sanction to impose:
- The seriousness of the complaint
- The lawyer’s or law firm’s previous disciplinary record
- The lawyer’s or law firm’s willingness to cooperate with the LSB’s investigation
- The impact of the sanction on the lawyer’s or law firm’s ability to practise law
FAQ
The following are some frequently asked questions about legal services board complaints:
Question 1: What is the Legal Services Board (LSB)?
Answer 1: The LSB is an independent body that regulates legal services in England and Wales. It was established in 2007 to promote competition, improve consumer choice, and protect the public interest in the provision of legal services.
Question 2: What types of complaints can I make to the LSB?
Answer 2: You can make a complaint to the LSB about any aspect of legal services, including the fees charged by lawyers, the quality of the service provided, or the conduct of a lawyer or law firm.
Question 3: How do I make a complaint to the LSB?
Answer 3: You can make a complaint to the LSB online, by post, or by phone. The LSB’s contact details can be found on its website.
Question 4: What will happen after I make a complaint?
Answer 4: The LSB will assess your complaint to see if it is within its jurisdiction. If the complaint is within its jurisdiction, the LSB will then open an investigation. The LSB may contact you and the respondent to gather evidence and information.
Question 5: What are the possible outcomes of a complaint?
Answer 5: The LSB may decide to take no further action, issue a warning, impose a fine, suspend or remove the respondent from the Roll of Solicitors or the Bar Roll, or refer the case to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
Question 6: How long will it take for my complaint to be resolved?
Answer 6: The time it takes for a complaint to be resolved will vary depending on the complexity of the complaint and the evidence that is available. The LSB will aim to resolve complaints as quickly as possible.
Question 7: What if I am not satisfied with the outcome of my complaint?
Answer 7: If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint, you can appeal to the Legal Ombudsman. The Legal Ombudsman is an independent body that investigates complaints about legal services.
The LSB is committed to resolving complaints fairly and efficiently. The LSB will always aim to reach a resolution that is in the best interests of the complainant and the public.
If you are thinking about making a complaint to the LSB, there are a few things you can do to help ensure that your complaint is successful:
Tips
If you are thinking about making a complaint to the LSB, there are a few things you can do to help ensure that your complaint is successful:
Tip 1: Make sure that your complaint is within the LSB’s jurisdiction.
The LSB can only investigate complaints about legal services that are provided in England and Wales. The LSB cannot investigate complaints about legal services that are provided in other countries.
Tip 2: Gather evidence to support your complaint.
The more evidence you have to support your complaint, the more likely it is that the LSB will investigate your complaint. Evidence can include emails, letters, contracts, receipts, and witness statements.
Tip 3: Be clear and concise in your complaint.
When you make your complaint to the LSB, be sure to be clear and concise. The LSB will need to know who you are complaining about, what happened, when it happened, and why you are complaining.
Tip 4: Be patient.
It can take time for the LSB to investigate a complaint. The LSB will need to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consider all of the relevant factors before making a decision.
If you follow these tips, you can help ensure that your complaint to the LSB is successful.
If you are unhappy with the service that you have received from a lawyer or law firm, you should make a complaint to the LSB. The LSB is an independent body that is committed to protecting the public interest in the provision of legal services.
Conclusion
The LSB is an important body that protects the public interest in the provision of legal services. The LSB investigates complaints about lawyers and law firms, and it can impose disciplinary sanctions on those who breach its Code of Conduct.
If you are unhappy with the service that you have received from a lawyer or law firm, you should make a complaint to the LSB. The LSB will investigate your complaint and take appropriate action.
The LSB is committed to ensuring that the public receives high-quality legal services. If you have a complaint about a lawyer or law firm, the LSB is here to help.