SLCC publishes statement on approach to oversight

Today the SLCC has published a statement on its approach to discharging its oversight powers. Following a review and consultation with the relevant professional organisations, the statement sets out the SLCC’s intention to work collaboratively and constructively with others in the sector to ensure public confidence in the complaints and redress system.

Drawing on the Better Regulation Principles and Consumer Principles, the approach aims to:

• reinforce public confidence about the effectiveness and impartiality of complaint handling by the Relevant Professional Organisations
• offer reassurance to the legal profession that disciplinary matters are being dealt with fairly and transparently
• ensure that broader learning is drawn from complaints and used to drive improvement across the legal services sector, and
• prevent avoidable risk and minimise the associated regulatory and indemnity costs.

Commenting on the publication, Vicky Crichton, Director of Public Policy said, “The SLCC was given statutory powers of oversight of complaints and redress in order to bring an independent view to the entire complaints process. We want to ensure we are using those powers to best effect to add value and contribute to well-functioning complaint handling and redress systems and processes across the legal services sector.”

“This approach will guide our oversight work and help us to achieve our aim to drive improvement and to promote public confidence in the regulation of legal services.”

“We want to thank those who took the time to help us shape this and we look forward to working with the sector to achieve these important outcomes.”