COMPLAINTS SERVICE OFFERED BY BDLS IN RELATION TO COMPLAINTS AGAINST MEMBER FIRMS

Despite the impression given by the Press, complaints against Solicitors are relatively few, particularly in relation to the number of transactions carried out by Solicitors.

From time to time, however, complaints arise for a whole variety of reasons and, as a result of Law Society guidelines, every firm of Solicitors must establish its own internal complaints procedure.

As a client, you should first refer to the Senior Partner of the firm concerned and ask for your complaint to be dealt with internally.  The person within a firm who handles problems is called the "Rule 15 Partner" and if you click here you will be able to view a list of Rule 15 Partners within local firms.

If you are not satisfied with the response or the result of such internal complaint, the Bournemouth & District Law Society do offer a completely free of charge mediation service.  This service is operated by the Junior Vice President of the Law Society and a referral can be made in writing to the Bournemouth & District Law Society office or direct to the Junior Vice President, whose name and address can be obtained by telephoning the office.

The policy is to provide a complainant with a confidential point of referral for a complaint and the Junior Vice President will then endeavour to resolve the complaint, either by giving advice to the complainant as to how the complaint can be resolved or, if necessary, mediating with the Solicitor concerned.

Complaints involving disciplinary matters will be referred to the The Legal Complaints Service who will take over the complaint from that point.

We would stress that the service offered is entirely free of charge and is totally impartial.   Please telephone the BDLS office on 01202 587551 for details of the current Junior Vice President and his or her address.