The CLC has formally confirmed the rule change so that from 6 October 2010 unhappy clients will be able to take a complaint against a licensed conveyancer to the new independent Legal Ombudsman.
The Legal Ombudsman will also deal with complaints about the following legal professionals, and those who are licensed to work for them:
– Solicitors
– Barristers
– Licensed conveyancers
– Legal executives
– Notaries
– Trade mark attorneys
– Law costs draftsmen
– Patent attorneys
– Probate attorneys
– Registered European lawyers
Any complaint currently being heard by an existing Ombudsman will continue to be dealt with by that organisation.
Before the Legal Ombudsman becomes active on 6th October, clients should use one of the existing services such as the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) to lodge a complaint. The Legal Ombudsman’s website is: http://www.legalombudsman.org.uk. This website will tell clients all they need to know about making a complaint. From 6 October customers can also ring the helpline on 0300 500 0333. Calls will be charged at a local rate.
