Written Question · S2W-17714 · Session 2
With regard to its consultation paper, Reforming Complaints Handling, Building Consumer Confidence: Regulation of the Legal Profession in S…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to its consultation paper, Reforming Complaints Handling, Building Consumer Confidence: Regulation of the Legal Profession in Scotland, what the estimate is of the costs of option D, setting up an independent complaints handling body, referred to in paragraph 5.17.
The answer
Such a body would cost a minimumof £2.1 million per year to run, but that figure is based solely on the currentannual costs of the complaints handling functions of the Scottish Legal ServicesOmbudsman and the Law Society of Scotland.
It would also be necessary totake into account (a) the opportunity cost of time at present given voluntarilyor for notional reward by members of professional bodies; (b) indirect costs relatingto complaints handling currently met by the professional bodies (c) start up costssuch as those relating to recruitment; and (d) economies of scale realised by merginginto a single office for legal complaints the complaints handling functions of theprofessional bodies and the Ombudsman. The annual cost of remuneration for the boardwould depend on its size and composition (an issue raised in the current consultation)but would be at least £0.1 million a year.
It would also be necessary totake into account (a) the opportunity cost of time at present given voluntarilyor for notional reward by members of professional bodies; (b) indirect costs relatingto complaints handling currently met by the professional bodies (c) start up costssuch as those relating to recruitment; and (d) economies of scale realised by merginginto a single office for legal complaints the complaints handling functions of theprofessional bodies and the Ombudsman. The annual cost of remuneration for the boardwould depend on its size and composition (an issue raised in the current consultation)but would be at least £0.1 million a year.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-17714 by reference.