Who investigates complaints against solicitors?

Since 7 October 2019 the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) has been responsible for investigating complaints made against legal practitioners, including solicitors. Further information on the LSRA’s statutory function to investigate complaints can be found at www.lsra.ie.

What types of complaints can the LSRA investigate?

The LSRA can investigate complaints under three categories:

• Inadequate legal services: when the client considers the legal service was not of a standard that someone would reasonably expect. A three year time limit applies for these complaints.

• Excessive costs: when the client considers the costs sought for the legal service is excessive. A three year time limit applies for these complaints. (three year time limit)

• Misconduct: this includes a range of conduct matters. Examples include fraud, dishonesty, criminal activity. No time limit applies for these complaints.

Resources for resolving complaints

You can find a selection of resources to help if you are the subject of a complaints below.

Law Society fact sheet

The Law Society Regulation Department and Practice Support teams have produced a fact sheet to assist solicitors who are the subject of a complaint. The fact sheet, produced by the Law Society Practice Support team, provides useful information for practitioners dealing with a complaint, and highlights key supports available.

• Download the fact sheet: Handling Complaints and support tools available

LSRA guide

A guide from the LSRA on the complaints investigation process is available.

• View the guide: Complaints made to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority: Information for Legal Practitioners

Other resources

There are a range of other resources available to assist solicitors in regulatory difficulty. These are:

• The Guidance and Ethics Helpline, facilitated by the Guidance and Ethics Committee, consists of a panel of solicitors who provide guidance on a range of practice matters. To access the Guidance and Ethics Helpline, contact: 01 672 4800.

• The Guidance & Ethics Committee produces the Solicitors’ Guide to Professional Conduct, along with a library of guidance and practice notes, visit Guidance & Ethics Committee Resources.

• The Panel to assist solicitors in regulatory difficulty can help with a range of matters, including assisting with a complaints investigation. For more information, view the list of panel members. 

• The free and confidential Consult a colleague helpline is co-ordinated by the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association. The helpline assists the profession nationwide with any problem, whether professional or personal. Call 01 284 8484 or visit www.dsba.ie.

• The Solicitors’ Benevolent Association aims to assist solicitors and their dependants. For more information, including application forms and how to make an application, contact Geraldine Pearse, Solicitors’ Benevolent Association Secretary, 73 Park Avenue, Dublin 4

• LegalMind is a confidential, subsidised support for all Law Society members and practising certificate holders. The service is operated independently by Spectrum Life.  Qualified counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists are available 24/7 to offer support on all aspects of personal and professional life. To contact: 

  • Free-phone 1800 81 41 77

  • Text ‘Hi’ by SMS/WhatsApp to 087 369 0010 (standard rates apply) and a case manager will text you back

  • Register for LegalMind’s online portal to access the Live Chat feature. You can find more information at www.lawsociety.ie/legalmind