Complaint
The information you’ve provided outlines the process for making a complaint about a barrister in England and Wales. Here’s a summary:
Complaint to Barrister or Chambers
If you have a complaint about your barrister, you should, in the first instance, use the complaints system maintained by your barrister or their Chambers. Information on how to make a complaint should have been provided to you in the initial client care letter.
Legal Ombudsman
If you are not satisfied with the handling or outcome of your complaint by your barrister or their Chambers, you can contact the Legal Ombudsman.
The Legal Ombudsman is an independent organization that deals with complaints about the service provided by all types of lawyers in England and Wales.
Legal Ombudsman’s Authority
The Legal Ombudsman can decide whether the service you received from your barrister was satisfactory. They have the authority to award compensation for poor service, consider whether fees should be reduced, and decide if an apology is appropriate.
Time Limits for Complaint
Any complaint to the Legal Ombudsman should be made within 6 months of receiving the final response to your complaint from your barrister or their Chambers. Complaints should not be made more than 6 years after the problems arose and not more than 3 years after you became aware of the problem.
Professional Misconduct
The Legal Ombudsman will assess your complaint and determine whether there are concerns about professional misconduct. If your complaint relates to potential professional misconduct, the Legal Ombudsman will refer the relevant parts of your complaint to the Bar Standards Board for consideration.
Bar Standards Board Referral
If your complaint needs to be referred to the Bar Standards Board, you will be informed by both the Legal Ombudsman and the Bar Standards Board.
For individuals seeking assistance or wanting to make a complaint about the service provided by a barrister in England and Wales, they can reach out to the Legal Ombudsman using the following details: