Office for Legal Complaints

The Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) will be a new consumer-focused organisation established under the Legal Services Act 2007 to develop and administer an independent ombudsman scheme to deal with complaints by consumers about legal services.

The OLC's website is available at: www.legalombudsman.org.uk

The OLC will become fully operational by the end of 2010. Until that time, all complaints about the service provided by lawyers will continue to be dealt with by the relevant Approved Regulator.

If you have a complaint about a lawyer and are unsure who you should contact, please visit the Approved Regulator page to find out which body you should direct your complaint to.

Progress in establishing the OLC

On 3 February 2009, the LSB announced the appointment of six OLC Board members-designate who would formally take up their roles on 1 July 2009. Appointments were made in consultation with Elizabeth France.

On 3 March 2009, the OLC announced that Adam Sampson would be the Chief Ombudsman for the Office for Legal Complaints.

News release: Chief Ombudsman for Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) announced

On 1 July 2009, the OLC was officially established with the OLC Board members formally appointed. Adam Sampson also formally took up post as Chief Ombudsman.

On 24 July 2009, the OLC announced its launch and published a discussion document "Towards establishing the OLC" which describes its plans for the setting up of a new Ombudsman scheme to resolve disputes between lawyers and their customers.

On 17 December 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding was agreed providing the framework for the relationship between the LSB and the OLC.

More information about the Office for Legal Complaints can be found at www.legalombudsman.org.uk.

News release: Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) launched

The OLC has a small implementation team in place. All enquiries should be directed to the OLC on 0121 503 2930 or enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk

Please note that the Legal Services Board cannot intervene in any new or ongoing complaint or dispute.