ARTICLE
13 February 2015

Legal Ombudsman, Complaints About Will And Probate Services, And The Unregulated Sector

WL
Withers LLP

Contributor

Trusted advisors to successful people and businesses across the globe with complex legal needs
The Legal Ombudsman published its latest Annual Report on 29 January 2015. It reports that it resolved 8,055 cases in the year 2013-2014.
United Kingdom Family and Matrimonial

The Legal Ombudsman published its latest Annual Report on 29 January 2015. It reports that it resolved 8,055 cases in the year 2013-2014. Of these, 13% related to Wills and Probate – the third largest category after Residential Conveyancing and Family. The percentage remains unchanged from 2012-2013.

At present, the Legal Ombudsman is only able to deal with complaints about regulated legal providers, such as solicitors, barristers or chartered legal executives. The Report comments on a case study where an unregulated will-drafting firm provided an inadequate service to a client, including losing a family heirloom. The client was unable to receive compensation as no ombudsman scheme is in place.

The Report highlights the Legal Ombudsman's commitment to develop a single professional services ombudsman. Frustratingly it says nothing about the limitation on assistance to the third sector - charities with an annual income of a £1 million (see link) are excluded from redress through the Ombudsman.

The Report can be found here.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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