Frequency of investigations
It is the Law Society’s policy to investigate a solicitors’ practice within three years of its commencement date and thereafter on a routine basis approximately once every five years. However, the Law Society can and does carry out investigations on a more frequent basis. If a complaint of a financial nature, or a serious qualification recorded in the annual accountant’s report, is received, it may render it necessary to conduct a more immediate investigation.
Where a firm has in the past been subject to an investigation which has disclosed breaches of the Solicitors Accounts Regulations or other misconduct disclosed by the accounting records, that firm may be subject to an early re-investigation. Similarly, an increase in the frequency of complaints about a practice can also result in frequent inspections. The Law Society reserves the right to carry out investigations at any time.
