1 - Contacting your solicitor
Before you make a complaint to the Law Society of Northern Ireland (Stage 2) it is important that you contact your solicitor to make them aware of your complaint.
Why?
Solicitors now have to have their own in-house complaints procedure. It is a written document and provides you with an opportunity to make the complaint to them in writing.
What they must do?
They must acknowledge receipt and give a substantive reply, usually within 28 days of receipt of the complaint. You may be asked to call in to discuss your concerns or the solicitor may want to speak to you by telephone. In any event, you should receive a final written report. You should contact the Law Society if more than 28 days have passed since you made the complaint.
How long do I have to make a complaint?
Your complaint to the solicitors should be made within six months of completion of your business or within six months of you discovering a cause for concern, whichever is later.
What happens next?
Once the solicitors have investigated your complaint and if you are still not happy, then you have another six months to refer the matter to the Law Society.
The Society's complaints procedures are overseen by the Client Complaints Committee which has solicitors and lay people as members. The Society may be able to help you in the following areas:
Inadequate service
The following are a list of the types of issues which the Society may consider as inadequate service and may be able to help you with:
- Unreasonable delays in dealing with your case.
- Failing to reply to telephone calls, emails or letters.
- Giving you inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Failing to hand over your papers if you have asked for them and do not owe any money to the solicitor.
Professional misconduct
The following are a list of the types of issues which the Society may consider to be professional misconduct:
- Suspected dishonesty.
- Mishandling of client's money.
- Acting in the same case for you and for others where your interests are in conflict with theirs.
Have you written to your solicitor to make them aware of your complaint?
If the answer is YES and you are still not happy with their response please proceed to Stage 2 of the complaints process by clicking below:
Stage 2 - Making a complaint to the Law Society
