Archive for the ‘Law Society’ Category

New complaints handling service launched to maintain quality of solicitor client care

Monday, October 4th, 2010

Solicitors gear up for launch of Legal Ombudsman

Solicitors will be strongly positioned for the new complaints handling era when the Legal Ombudsman takes over from the Legal Complaints Service (LCS) on Wednesday according to the Law Society.

The Society says that its members will benefit from more than four years’ experience of an independent complaints regime headed by the LCS.

With professional guidance, support and other services aimed at cementing a high standard of client care and best-practice complaints procedures, the profession will be equipped for the new legal services complaints landscape.

Law Society President Linda Lee said the LCS already has a solid track record in supporting solicitors to deliver high standards of client care and complaints procedures within their legal practices.

“The Law Society will work closely with the Ombudsman to ensure the profession’s client care standards are protected.

 “A range of support services will be available to solicitors on how the new Ombudsman process will work and what is expected from them.

 ”The ultimate aim is for legal practices to have in-house complaints procedures and client care policies that are so effective and robust that concerns and disagreements can be dealt with before recourse to the Ombudsman is necessary.”

Support and guidance

The Law Society has updated practice notes for its members in relation to client care and complaints handling. Earlier this year, the Society launched its Risk & Compliance Service, a key element of which is complaints handling.

The Society’s Client Care Toolkit, Lawyerline and practice management standard, Lexcel, are also important initiatives which are helping solicitors maintain high standards for the benefit of clients.

“The Ombudsman is more than just a new complaints-handling body. It is an incentive to look again at how legal practices engage with their clients.

“Solicitors will have a head-start from their experience under the LCS and, with access to strong support and advice form the Society, can continue to improve standards,” Ms Lee said.

Find out more about:

The new complaints handling arrangements on the Law Society website 

The Law Society’s Risk & Compliance Service

Visit the Lexcel homepage

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Law Society helps prepare students for legal career

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Law students are encouraged to attend a free conference being held next month to prepare for the challenges of a legal career.

‘Preparing Students for Gaining Entry to the Solicitors’ Profession’ will provide students with an overview of the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and advice from industry experts, graduate recruiters and senior partners.

As part of the conference the Law Society will officially launch its new toolkit providing advice for graduates on preparing a CV, covering letters, application forms and interview techniques.

Delegates will also be given insight into alternative career options offered by different types of employers within the legal profession.

Law Society President Linda Lee says; “Today’s law students are entering a market that is competitive and challenging but also rewarding. 

“The Law Society continues to work with students and graduates to ensure they are well prepared.”

Ali Zaidi, partner at Edwin Coe and Claire Lay and graduate recruiter for DLA Piper will address the conference.

Preparing Students for Gaining Entry to the Solicitors’ Profession will be held on 21 October 2010, The Law Society’s Hall, Chancery Lane, London.

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Children’s rights come first in family court reporting says Law Society

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Protecting children’s privacy should be paramount in family court proceedings.

The Law Society supports openness and transparency in family cases but believes there must be a balance between ensuring public confidence in the process and the protection of sensitive personal information, especially where children are involved. 

The Law Society has called on the Ministry of Justice to consider alternative options to deliver a transparent family justice system without sacrificing the privacy of families and especially children.

The Law Society believes such transparency can also be achieved by other means such as the use of anonymised judgement.

Law Society president Linda Lee said: “Publishing sensitive personal information could cause significant embarrassment, distress and disadvantage to the parties involved in family cases.

 “We support increasing the public’s understanding of the Family Courts through more openness and transparency but not at the risk of clients’ privacy and safety.

“In many Family Court cases, the decisions made will affect the adults and children involved for the rest of their lives.

“The Law Society will continue to closely monitor the proposed legislation and support the aim of the Bill to provide a more effective, transparent and accountable family justice system through the implementation of a single, consistent reporting regime.”

“We look forward to working closely with the Government as it re-examines proposed changes to the family justice system.”

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Hague’s new human rights body must be truly independent, says Law Society

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Plans announced by the Foreign Secretary to create a human rights advisory body of independent experts must be truly independent and not influenced by factors beyond a human rights remit.

For the advisory body to carry out its role effectively it must only consist of bodies and experts who are already playing a role in assessing the human rights situation overseas and will not allow other factors to cloud that assessment.

Law Society President Linda Lee said: “The Society welcomes the Foreign Secretary’s announcement and his commitment to ensuring human rights looms large in Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s overall plans.

“The establishment of an independent advisory body demonstrates the Government’s commitment to human rights and a desire to have a clear, accurate view of the issue on a global scale.

“Creating an independent advisory body to monitor the human rights landscape overseas is a positive step.

“The Law Society remains committed to playing a leading role in tackling human rights abuses around the world.”

“The Society has for some time carried out ongoing assessments and interventions in human rights abuses overseas, with many of our members heavily involved in international human rights cases.

“Last year we intervened after an attack by Iraqi forces on Camp Ashraf, a refugee camp holding thousands of Iranians which left 13 residents dead and more than 400 injured.

“The Law Society looks forward to continuing to work with the new Government around human rights protection, monitoring and advice.”

The Law Society will this week host the annual Human Rights Symposium in conjunction with the University of Essex to highlight the importance of commerce in upholding human rights values.

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