SLCC: Less than one per cent of solicitor work is a cause for complaint

The number of Scottish solicitors holding a practising certificate during 2016/17 was 11,824 compared with 11,422 the previous year.

In its latest annual report, the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) has shown the number of complaints against solicitors and other legal professionals in 2016/17 was equivalent to a two per cent rise.

This is in contrast to the SLCC’s suggestion that it expected a continuing rise following an increase in complaints of 23 per cent in the first six months of this year.

The SLCC had argued that a rise in numbers of complaints received required an increase in the cost of the annual levy on solicitors. The increase, almost eight times the rate of inflation, was heavily criticised by the Law Society of Scotland and wider legal profession when it was introduced earlier this year. The new figures show that there has been an increase of two per cent in the overall numbers of complaints received – well below the SLCC’s prediction.

SLCC chief executive Neil Stevenson said: “This has been a challenging year, with significant litigation that has driven delays and costs and which was outwith our control. We are delighted the court upheld our position, and hope we can now move beyond some of these challenges to work with others in the sector to improve confidence in regulation.”

Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “When the SLCC increased the levy on solicitors by 12.5 per cent earlier this year, it provoked widespread anger and frustration in the legal profession. These updated figures raise further questions around the SLCC’s justification for that increase, costs which ultimately have to be met by consumers.”

The Law Society said it was also close to proposing a series of reforms which could improve the whole system of legal complaints.

Ms Jack added: “We have been developing solutions we believe would deliver comprehensive reforms to make the whole complaints system simpler, quicker and more effective for those who depend on it.

“In addition, we are looking to make proposals about short-term changes to existing legislation that could help to speed up the SLCC’s process, in particular around whether or not a complaint is admitted to the process. We will publish these proposals in the next few weeks.”

Ms Jack also marked the retirement of current SLCC chairman, Bill Brackenridge, who is to step down after five years in post next month.

She said: “While the past 12 months have presented both organisations with some difficult issues to resolve, we have maintained a good dialogue with the SLCC throughout and continue to work well on a range of issues.

“On behalf of everyone at the Law Society, I wish Bill all the very best for his retirement as chairman of the SLCC board. He has overseen the development of the organisation and the creation of its four-year strategy published last year. We look forward to working with his successor.”