The Office of the Independent Adjudicator
The office of the Independent Adjudicator was established to provide an independent forum to which members of the public may apply if they are dissatisfied with the manner in which the Law Society of Ireland has dealt with any complaint made by or on behalf of any person against their solicitor.
The Independent Adjudicator’s role is to ensure that complaints about the conduct of a solicitor are dealt with fairly and impartially by the Law Society and to recommend any changes in the Law Society’s complaints procedures which are, in the Independent Adjudicator’s view, necessary to maintain the highest standards.
In December 2005, the Independent Adjudicator’s function was extended to deal with complaints about any decision by the Law Society concerning an application for a grant from the Law Society’s Compensation Fund.
Ms Carol Ann Casey is the Independent Adjudicator of the Law Society.
Who can use the Independent Adjudicator?
A client who is dissatisfied with the way in which their complaint has been handled by the Law Society, or who is dissatisfied with any decision concerning an application for a grant from the Law Society’s Compensation Fund may, any time within the three year period immediately following the Law Society’s decision, apply to the Independent Adjudicator.
What kind of complaints can the Independent Adjudicator deal with?
It is important to note that the Independent Adjudicator can only deal with a complaint about the Law Society’s handling of a complaint against a solicitor – the Independent Adjudicator cannot investigate at first hand a complaint about a solicitor. Complaints of this nature should be forwarded directly to:
Complaints and Client Relations Section
Regulation Department
The Law Society of Ireland
George’s Court
George’s Place
North King Street
Dublin 7
Tel: +353 1 879 8700
Fax: +353 1 879 8785
Email: complaints@lawsociety.ie
Website: www.lawsociety.ie
What powers does the Independent Adjudicator have?
Once satisfied that the complaint falls within the office’s terms of reference, the Independent Adjudicator will examine the Law Society’s records, make whatever enquiries are considered necessary, and having completed the investigation, may if appropriate, direct the Law Society to either re-examine the complaint or make an application to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, which may lead to the disciplining of a solicitor. The Independent Adjudicator may, if appropriate, direct the Law Society to re-examine its decision concerning an application for a grant from the Law Society’s Compensation Fund.
The Independent Adjudicator cannot award compensation and cannot consider any matters which have been dealt with by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal or, in the case of complaints about excessive fees, the Taxing Master. If a complaint is still under investigation by the Law Society, the Independent Adjudicator will await the Law Society’s determination before dealing with any complaint made.
How to use the Independent Adjudicator
Any client wishing to make a complaint to the Independent Adjudicator or wishing to refer a decision of the Law Society concerning an application for a grant from the Law Society’s Compensation Fund should write to:
Ms Carol Ann Casey
Independent Adjudicator of the Law Society
26 Upper Pembroke Street
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 1 662 0457
Fax: +353 1 662 0365
Email: adjudicator@independentadjudicator.ie
Website: www.independentadjudicator.ie
Complaints, which must be in writing, should contain the following information:
- the reference used by the Law Society on its correspondence;
- the date on which the Law Society made its decision (a copy of the letter conveying the Law Society’s decision should be enclosed if available); and
- confirmation that the client has not made any application to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal regarding the subject matter of the complaint to the Independent Adjudicator.
Annual Reports of the Independent Adjudicator
