GUILDFORD MP CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT REGULATION TO ENSURE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN LEGAL SERVICES

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 7th Jun 2004

Guildford MP, Sue Doughty, is calling for a change to the system by which solicitors are regulated to ensure justice for her constituents who make complaints of inadequate service or professional misconduct against solicitors.

Currently a system of self-regulation exists for solicitors through the Office for Supervision of Solicitors, which is funded and managed by the Law Society. Sue has asked an independent review that was commissioned by the Government to consider replacing the OSS with an independent regulatory body.

Sue said:

"Many of the most complex and protracted cases that I have helped my constituents with since becoming elected involve complaints against solicitors. The financial and emotional costs of pursuing a complaint can be very high.

"There is a very worrying lack of confidence in the current system of self-regulation. This is not just a concern for solicitors' clients, but it should concern solicitors too. It is important that there is sufficient transparency and independence for justice to be seen to be done in the decisions that are made. Otherwise there is little I can do to reassure my constituents that a fair decision has been made in cases where the decision goes against them."