All complaints against legal practitioners must be sent to the new Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) which acts as a gateway and single point of contact for these complaints.

What will the SLCC be able to do?

All complaints come through the SLCC in the first instance. The SLCC deals with complaints about the service provided by legal practitioners. Complaints about conduct are passed to the Law Society of Scotland and The Faculty of Advocates who will investigate them, as they have done in the past.

The SLCC also has the power to deal with complaints about the way the relevant professional organisation has handled an investigation. These “handling complaints” were previously dealt with by the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman (SLSO).  More information on this is given in the overview of the complaint process - Overview of the Complaints Process

What happens to the SLSO?

The office of the SLSO ceased to exist from 1st October 2008.  However as part of the transition process, the powers of the Ombudsman transfer to the SLCC.  The SLCC will continue to sign-off reports for handling complaints arising from investigations being carried out, or to be carried out, by the relevant professional organisations.

Overview of the complaint process

For more information about how your complaint will be dealt with, please click - Overview of the Complaints Process 

Making a complaint

To make a complaint, please download and complete the appropriate complaint form.  We cannot accept your complaint unless it is submitted on a form with your signature.  Your signature is important as it gives SLCC permission to get information from the legal practitioner or professional body such as the Law Society of Scotland or The Faculty of Advocates.

Complaint about conduct or service, click - Conduct and Service Complaint Form

Complaint about handling, click - Handling Complaint Form

Guidance on completing the complaint form, click - Complaint Form Guidance

For more information

To talk to one of our advisors, please call us on 0131 528 5111, or email us at enquiries@scottishlegalcomplaints.org.uk