UK Legal Ombudsman to name and shame misbehaving lawyers online

The Legal Ombudsman is set to begin publishing the names and details of UK lawyers that have been the subject of a ‘pattern of complaints’ or have otherwise acted in a way to justify revealing their identity in the public interest. In addition, the site will publish all the Ombudsman’s rulings on complaints against solicitors, along with the names of the solicitors involved. The new online service will go live in a few weeks, and is intended to provide consumers with important information about the reputation of their solicitor and to help improve standards in the legal profession. The Law Society opposed the introduction of the naming and shaming service, saying that the site would disproportionately affect lawyers working in areas of law that tend to attract a high level of complaints. But since the Ombudsman was set on introducing the measure, the Law Society offered advice to ensure that the information published is as proportionate, transparent and helpful to consumers as possible.

UK Legal Ombudsman to name and shame misbehaving lawyers online rollonfriday.com Tue, Aug 14, 2012