The SLCC published responses to its recent consultation on strategy, budget and operating plan, some of which addressed this issue.

It said: “It is not the SLCC who collects the levy, so we are liaising with the relevant professional organisations to see what might be possible. We are also currently considering the likely impact of the situation on our operational plan for this year and next, and may need to make further amendments on that basis as the situation develops. A final budget is not laid in the Scottish Parliament until April.”

The complaints body also said it will consult on the issue of freezing or reducing costs for public sector lawyers, which one stakeholder had suggested.

On other issues, the views were “mixed”.

“We set out a priority around achieving reform to create a better regulatory and complaints system for consumers and lawyers. Some organisations commented very positively on this. Others did not see trying to improve the wider regulatory system which we sit within as one of our functions. We will reflect on this, especially in light of the Competition and Markets Authority report published last week.”