Complaints to LSRA up 19% in latest period
A report from the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) shows that 1,000 complaints were made about legal practitioners in the six months to 6 March – an increase of 19% on the previous six months.
The legal-services watchdog closed a total of 1,139 complaints during the period.
Of the 1,000 complaints received, 960 related to solicitors and 40 to barristers, reflecting the higher number of solicitors and their greater level of contact with consumers.
During the six-month period, the LSRA directed legal practitioners to pay a total of €86,944 in compensation to clients and to waive or refund a further €79,888 in fees charged.
More than half inadmissible
The LSRA can investigate three types (grounds) of complaints: inadequate legal services, excessive costs, and misconduct.
A breakdown shows that:
- There were 549 (55%) complaints linked to alleged misconduct only,
- A further 219 (22%) related only to inadequate legal services,
- Complaints about excessive costs only were less common at 13 (1%), although excessive costs featured in a further 100 complaints, and
- There were 219 (22%) mixed complaints involving more than one matter.
Just over half of all complaints (586) were deemed inadmissible, while just over one in five (240) were settled with the help of the LSRA’s team of mediators.
“A significant proportion of complaints continue to be resolved at an early stage with the support of the LSRA. This is often the most effective way to address issues and achieve practical outcomes for both clients and legal practitioners,” said LSRA chief executive Niamh Muldoon.
High Court orders
Of the remaining complaints, 86 were upheld, 130 were not upheld, and 41 complaints of alleged misconduct were referred by the LSRA’s complaints committee to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (LPDT) for further investigation.
In 55 cases in which complaints were upheld, the legal practitioner was directed to pay compensation of up to €5,000 to the complainant.
During the six months, the LSRA obtained nine orders from the President of the High Court directing compliance with a determination made by the authority or the LPDT, some of which related to applications issued in the previous reporting period.
A breakdown of complaints about inadequate legal services shows that just over 30% were linked to litigation, while just over 20% concerned conveyancing.
Litigation (32%) also topped the list for complaints about excessive costs, followed by family law (23%).
The latest report includes a more detailed examination of complaints relating to wills and probate – the latest in a series of themed reports.