DCA Unveils Plans To Allow LSCC To Fine Law Society

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

23 March 2004

The UK's Department of Constitutional Affairs (DCA) has put forward a proposal which would allow Legal Services Complaints Commissioner, Zahida Manzoor to impose a fine on the complaints handling arm of the Law Society if it does not improve its record to her satisfaction.

According to a report in the Law Gazette, under the proposals, Ms Manzoor would be able to fine the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors (soon to become the Consumer Complaints Service) if it fails to handle complaints in accordance with a plan agreed upon by the Complaints Commissioner and the Law Society.

Although a maximum figure of £5 million has been put forward, the DCA has reportedly asked the legal services regulator for comment on this.

Speaking to the Law Gazette, chief executive of the Law Society, Janet Paraskeva announced that:

"We have never believed that fining powers are appropriate. The Law Society is not a commercial organisation and we do not receive public money. We know of no other regulator that is itself subject to being fined. We will be making a robust response."

Ms Manzoor, meanwhile, appeared determined to keep the atmosphere surrounding the discussions as non-confrontational as possible, explaining that:

"I see my role very much as a dialogue."

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