Types of issues which the Committee may consider as inadequate service
Possible outcomes for your complaint
We may...
dismiss your complaint if we consider it is not within our remit, or if you have not followed the required timeframes and process for raising your complaint. Where we dismiss your complaint, you will be informed of the reasons why.
We may...
consider your complaint and make a determination on the headlines of complaint raised.
We may...
determine not to uphold your complaint. Where your complaint has not been upheld, you will be informed of the reasons why. If the Committee considered that your complaint was frivolous (i.e. without merit) or vexatious (i.e. made deliberately with ill intentions) we may direct you to pay costs towards the time spent considering your complaint.
We may...
uphold your complaint and determine that the solicitor has provided inadequate professional service.
If we have determined that the solicitor has provided inadequate professional service, we can exercise our statutory powers to impose certain sanctions on the solicitor which include:
- Direct the solicitor to send their full file to us to assist in our investigation
- Direct a solicitor to take steps to complete or rectify a matter,
- Take such further action in the interests of the client as we may direct at the solicitor’s expense,
- Limit the costs to which the solicitor is entitled by directing a reduction, refund or waiving of a bill,
*Note – any concerns regarding the level of fee charged by a solicitor should be adjudicated upon through either the Law Society or Taxing Master’s processes if you are unable to resolve the issue with the solicitor directly. - Award compensation to a complainant where a complaint is upheld,
*Note – the compensation we can direct is capped at £5,000 and may not be directed in all cases even if your complaint is upheld. - Direct a solicitor to issue an apology to the complainant,
- Award costs against the solicitor for the time spent considering the complaint,
- Refer the solicitor to the Law Society of Northern Ireland if there are concerns about their conduct which may result in a further referral to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.