How to complain about legal services in Scotland Your rights
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission can help resolve complaints
On 1 October 2008, it became easier to make complaints about legal services in Scotland.
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) was introduced on this date by the Scottish government, following a Which? supercomplaint to the Office of Fair Trading about regulation of the industry and a lack of competition.
The SLCC was designed to be a one-stop shop for complaints made about legal services that have been instructed since 1 October 2008. For services instructed before this date, see FAQs.
The complaints system
The SLCC aims to guide people through the complaints system from start to finish and has access to trained mediators to help resolve cases.
Ultimately, it can take several courses of action. This might include awarding compensation to the complainer - up to £20,000 - and requiring a legal services provider to change its practices.
The SLCC will handle complaints about services but, in the first instance, it will pass on complaints about conduct to the relevant professional body. It can, however, investigate how professional bodies handle such complaints itself.
