Written Question · S1W-11285 · Session 1
What action it intends to take following the publication of the recent report by its Central Research Unit, Survey of Complainers to the Sc…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take following the publication of the recent report by its Central Research Unit, Survey of Complainers to the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman, and specifically whether it intends to instigate a review relating to complaints against solicitors and the way these are dealt with both by the Law Society of Scotland and the Legal Services Ombudsman.
The answer
The aim of the Survey of Complainers to the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman (SLSO) was to help the Ombudsman to improve the view and the understanding which complainers have of the SLSO's investigations. The study yielded useful operational information, it made clear a desire for the process of investigation to be speeded up and a need for more personal contact. The Ombudsman has acted on this information. The backlog of cases has fallen from 14 months (in July) to six months. It is the Ombudsman's intention that the backlog will be further reduced to four months by Easter 2001. The Office of the Ombudsman is to occupy new premises in early December, which has easy access for disabled complainers and a dedicated interview room.The Central Research Unit is currently in discussion with the Law Society with a view to carrying out research into complaints handling and related issues.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-11285 by reference.