This information reflects the Society's web site at the date you downloaded or printed it and you should check at www.lawscot.org.uk to see if it is still current.

Special kinds of complaint

Complaints about mortgage endowment policies

  • The Law Society of Scotland handles complaints about investment business provided by a Scottish solicitor who was authorised at the relevant time by the Society to provide such advice.
  • Complaints involving an endowment policy can be made up to three years after you received a second warning or "traffic light" letter from your insurance company, or from the date on which your policy was surrendered (if applicable). 
  • For further information, please see the information sheet: Investigating Complaints about Endowment Policies.

Complaints about the fees charged by a solicitor

  • The Society handles and considers complaints about the quality of service provided by a solicitor as well as complaints about the conduct of solicitors.
  • It does not have the power to directly challenge the fees charged by a solicitor.
  • For further information on what to do if you are not happy with the fees charged by a solicitor, please see the information sheet: Querying Fees Charged by Solicitors. 
  • For further information on legal fees, please visit the section entitled: Solicitors' Fees.

Complaints about professional negligence

  • Negligence has to be proven through the courts and only they can order compensation, although Scottish solicitors' own insurance may lead to an out-of-court settlement.
  • You will need the advice of an independent solicitor before deciding upon the best course of action.
  • For further information, please see the information sheet: Professional Negligence Claims - the Pursuer's Panel.

Complaints about immigration and asylum matters

  • The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) regulates immigration advisers and deals directly with complaints against them. It does not deal with immigration complaints against Scottish solicitors - they are dealt with by the Society.
  • The Society informs the OISC of the outcome of complaints within its areas of interest, and has an obligation to pass to the OISC information on request, which might include solicitors' case files.
  • The OISC examines how the Society regulates solicitors where they deal with issues of immigration and asylum. If you are concerned in relation to this, speak with your Case Manager. You can also contact the OISC directly at:

The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
5th Floor
Counting House
53 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2QN

Tel: 020 7211 1500
Fax: 020 7211 1553
Email: info@oisc.gov.uk
www.oisc.gov.uk