SLCC comments on consultation on amendments to legal complaints process

Responding to the Scottish Government’s consultation on potential improvements to the legal complaints system, published today, Neil Stevenson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission said,

“When a complaint is made, it’s in the best interests of both parties that it can be resolved as swiftly as possible. The legislation that governs our work creates a slow and cumbersome process that builds in delay and confusion. That is frustrating and dispiriting for complainers who want to move on, and stressful for lawyers who work under the cloud of an unresolved complaint.

“The SLCC has been working with Scottish Government and the Law Society of Scotland to agree changes to the existing legislation that will help to improve the complaints process. While this is not the full reform we believe is needed, it is an opportunity to draw on more than a decade of experience of dealing with complaints to identify a package of improvements that could make the complaints process more efficient and proportionate.

“We look forward to the consultation results and hope to see the proposals being taken forward by Scottish Government in the near future.”

The consultation can be found on the Scottish Government consultation portal.