Law Society: Legal complaints process in ‘urgent need of overhaul’

The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) is in “urgent need of overhaul”, the Law Society of Scotland has said.

Graham Matthews, president of the Law Society, welcomed the news of Jim Martin CBE’s appointment as new chair of the SLCC.

Mr Martin was previously Scottish Public Services Ombudsman from 2009 to 2017, Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland from 2007 to 2009, a member of the Scottish Funding Council from 2004 to 2009, and general secretary of the EIS trade union from 1987 to 1995. He is also a member of the Scottish Government Panel to Review the Regulation of Legal Services in Scotland.

Commenting, Mr Matthews (pictured) said: “I warmly congratulate Jim on his appointment. I am sure the SLCC will benefit from his experience and leadership, especially during this critical period in which the framework of legal regulation is being independently reviewed.

“I look forward to working with him as we seek to address the currently slow, cumbersome and expensive complaints process which we all agree is in urgent need of overhaul.”