Complaints against Solicitors
From 7 October 2019, the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) deals with complaints against solicitors.
New authority
From 7 October 2019, complaints about a solicitor or enquiries about making a complaint should be referred to the Authority (LSRA). The contact details for the LSRA are:
Address: LSRA, PO Box 12906, Dublin 7
Phone: 01 8592911
General queries email: Lsra-inbox@lsra.ie
Complaints email: complaints@lsra.ie
Website:
Complaints received by the Law Society prior to 7 October 2019 will continue to be dealt with by the Law Society. The information about the complaints process on the Law Society’s website relates only to complaints received prior to 7 October 2019.
Complaints the Law Society could investigate (prior to 7 October 2019)
The Law Society could investigate complaints against solicitors made by or on behalf of clients (including beneficiaries) alleging:
A. Inadequate Professional Services
This is defined in Section 8 of the 1994 Solicitors (Amendment) Act as services which are inadequate in any material respect and are not of a quality that could reasonably be expected of a solicitor or a firm of solicitors. Complaints under this heading must be made within five years.
B. Excessive Fees
The Law Society can deal with a complaint by or on behalf of a client that a bill is excessive.
The Law Society is not permitted to consider any complaint about a bill that is more than five years old.
A client also has the option, within a year of delivery of the bill, of requesting his solicitor to refer the bill to the .
C. Misconduct
The statutory definition of Misconduct in the Solicitors Acts includes but is not restricted to:
- Conduct tending to bring the solicitors’ profession into disrepute.
- The contravention of a provision of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011, or any order or regulation made thereunder.
More information
Privacy Statement for Complainants
Contact Us (only for complaints received prior to 7 October 2019)
Complaints and Client Relations Section, Law Society of Ireland, George's Court, George's Lane, Dublin 7.
Tel: 01 879 8700, fax: 01 879 8785 or email complaints@lawsociety.ie.
Letters and emails will be answered as soon as possible, but the Complaints and Client Relations Section cannot give you legal advice, second opinions or arrange legal representation.