Appeal a decision

There are strict time-limits for appealing a decision to the High Court. Any appeal must be lodged with the Court, and a copy served on the Solicitors Complaints Committee, the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Legal Services Oversight Commissioner by way of notice within 21 days of receiving our final determination.

You can find the forms required to make an appeal on the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service website here: Appeals Forms | Department of Justice

Generally, grounds of appeal are divided into two areas:
1. Error of law
2. Serious procedural irregularity

You should identify what the ground of appeal you are seeking to rely upon when lodging your application with the Court. This is a complex area of law and you may wish to obtain independent legal advice to assist you with this process.

As an appeal is a Court process, the application will incur Court costs. If you obtain independent legal advice to assist you with your application, you will also have to consider the costs of this advice.

A copy of any Order following the appeal process should be provided to all interested parties including the complainant, solicitor, firm, Solicitors Complaints Committee, the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Legal Services Oversight Commissioner to confirm the outcome.