Complaints since 7 October 2019

From 7 October 2019, the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) deals with complaints against solicitors.The contact details for the LSRA are:

• Address: LSRA, PO Box 12906, Dublin 7
• Phone: 01 8592911
• General queries email: Lsra-inbox@lsra.ie
• Complaints email: complaints@lsra.ie
• Website: www.lsra.ie/make-a-complaint

Complaints received prior to 7 October 2019

Complaints received by the Law Society prior to 7 October 2019 will continue to be dealt with by the Law Society. The information about the complaints process on the Law Society’s website relates only to complaints received prior to 7 October 2019.

Complaints the Law Society previously investigated

Prior to 7 October 2019, the Law Society could investigate complaints against solicitors made by or on behalf of clients (including beneficiaries) alleging:

• Inadequate Professional Services: This is defined in Section 8 of the 1994 Solicitors (Amendment) Act as services which are inadequate in any material respect and are not of a quality that could reasonably be expected of a solicitor or a firm of solicitors. Complaints under this heading must be made within five years.
• Excessive Fees: The Law Society can deal with a complaint by or on behalf of a client that a bill is excessive. The Law Society is not permitted to consider any complaint about a bill that is more than five years old. A client also has the option, within a year of delivery of the bill, of requesting his solicitor to refer the bill to the Taxing Master.
• Misconduct: The statutory definition of Misconduct in the Solicitors Acts includes but is not restricted to:

1. 1. Conduct tending to bring the solicitors’ profession into disrepute.
   2. The contravention of a provision of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011, or any order or regulation made thereunder.

Privacy statement for complainants

• View the Privacy Statement for Complaints and Client Relations

Contact for complaints received prior to 7 October 2019)

Complaints and Client Relations Section, Law Society of Ireland, George's Court, George's Lane, Dublin 7.

Tel: 01 879 8700, fax: 01 879 8785 or email complaints@lawsociety.ie.

Letters and emails will be answered as soon as possible, but the Complaints and Client Relations Section cannot give you legal advice, second opinions or arrange legal representation.