... being sufficiently independent from the profession, as the powers which the bureau had were delegated to it by the Law society (the governing body for solicitors) Complainants who are still dissatisfied after contacting the OSS can go to the Legal Services Ombudsman who can recommend that the OSS reconsider the complaint, and/or order compensation to be paid. Now, as a result of the Access to Justice Act 1999 the Legal Services Ombudsman can order a solicitor or the Law Society to pay compensation to the client, they can also be sued for negligence as well as being suspended from practice or struck off by the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal. Under the Access to Justice Act 1999 the Law Society now have greater powers to inspect solicitors' files and accounts if a claim is made against them. Until recently, barristers could not be sued for negligent work in court as a result of the ...

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