The duty in context
Complaints procedure and handling client
The lawyer must maintain a complaints procedure, tell clients at the outset how to complain (including to any ombudsman), and handle complaints promptly, fairly and free of charge.
How the codes express this duty
E&W Solicitors SRA Principles & Code CCS 8.2; CCS 8.3; CCS 8.5 strong 110 cases
8.2 You ensure that, as appropriate in the circumstances, you either establish and maintain, or participate in, a procedure for handling complaints in relation to the legal services you provide. 8.3 You ensure that clients are informed in writing at the time of engagement about: (a) their right to complain ... (c) any right they have to make a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman ... 8.5 You ensure that complaints are dealt with promptly, fairly, and free of charge.
SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs · 2019 · archived copy · official source ↗
E&W Barristers BSB Handbook rC99; rC104; rC105; rC108 strong 4 cases
rC99 You must notify clients in writing when you are instructed ... .1 of their right to make a complaint, including their right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman (if they have such a right), how, and to whom, they can complain, and of any time limits for making a complaint; rC104 All complaints must be acknowledged promptly.
BSB Handbook · current · archived copy · official source ↗
Cayman Islands Legal Services Code 2026 R.4.5 strong
An attorney-at-law shall have a written complaints procedure and ensure that complaints are handled promptly, fairly and in accordance with that procedure. Clients shall be told at the outset of a matter or the client relationship of the complaints procedure
Cayman Islands Legal Services Code of Professional Conduct · 2026 · archived copy
AU Solicitors Solicitors' Conduct Rules no clear equivalent
AU Barristers Uniform Barristers Rules no clear equivalent
IE Solicitors Law Society Guide Ch2 — Complaints strong 65 cases
A solicitor should have a dispute-resolution procedure in place for dealing with complaints, which should be communicated to the client. The client should be advised of any actions that will be taken in relation to the matter that is the subject of a complaint.
Solicitor's Guide to Professional Conduct (Law Society of Ireland) · 4th ed. (2022) · archived copy · official source ↗
IE Barristers Bar Code of Conduct no clear equivalent
JM Attorneys Canons of Professional Ethics no clear equivalent
JE Lawyers Law Society of Jersey Code R.1.6 strong
Members must have a written complaints procedure and ensure that complaints are handled promptly, fairly and in accordance with that procedure. Clients must be told at the outset of the matter or the client relationship how to complain.
Law Society of Jersey Code of Conduct · 1 January 2017 · archived copy · official source ↗
ON Lawyers LSO Rules of Prof. Conduct no clear equivalent
BC Lawyers BC Code no clear equivalent
NZ Lawyers Conduct & Client Care Rules r 11.5 / r 3.4(d) strong
A lawyer practising on their own account must ensure that the lawyer's law practice establishes and maintains appropriate procedures for handling complaints by clients with a view to ensuring that each complaint is dealt with promptly and fairly by the law practice.
Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008 · SR 2008/214 · archived copy · official source ↗
SCO Solicitors LSS Standards of Conduct no clear equivalent
SG Lawyers Professional Conduct Rules 2015 no clear equivalent
HK Solicitors Solicitors' Guide Principle 6.01 Commentary 9 partial
In no circumstances can a solicitor exclude his liability for professional misconduct. Furthermore, a solicitor may not seek an agreement from his client to refrain from making a complaint about his professional misconduct.
Hong Kong Solicitors' Guide to Professional Conduct (Volume 1) · current · archived copy · official source ↗
HK Barristers Bar Code of Conduct no clear equivalent
Cases dealing with this duty
129 decisions · link basis: found breached = a tribunal finding; rule cited = the mapped provision is cited in the decision; text match = high-precision text pattern
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Brenton John Miegel
Delayed administering a deceased estate for 10 years which diminished the public’s confidence in the administration of justice and brought the profession into disrepute. Failed to respond adequately and in a timely mann…
Multiple Disciplinary Action Conditions on Practising Certificate Fine Make a payment Refrain from doing something Reprimand View decision -
Grubisa, Dominique
Proceedings no. 2022/00387737 (First Application) 1. Mrs Grubisa was the principal of a law practice which had lay associates who were disqualified persons under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) and who were not a…
Costs Order recommending removal of lawyer's name from the Roll of Australian Lawyers $0.00 Proceedings Instituted 1 PDF View decision -
Kerrison, Robert Francis
Lawyer failed to comply with a notice issued pursuant to s 371 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Uniform Law), the Lawyer is the subject of unresolved complaints, the Lawyer’s practising certificate was previously su…
Refusal to issue Practising Certificate for the practising period ending 30 June 2026 $0.00 Specified Duration: Manager appointed for a period of 2 years Manager Appointed: Yes Manager Appointed View decision -
Sean Garvin Moses Osbourne
Struck off, Restitution ordered | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered January 26, 2024. | Guilty of Professional Misconduct | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered November 03, 2023. | Formal Order View PDF SA…
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John Anthony Thompson
Guilty of Professional Misconduct | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered May 17, 2023. || Reprimanded, Reimbursement ordered, Fined | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered October 30, 2023. View PDF DECISION OF…
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Smith, Mark Rodger
As at 5 February 2021, the Respondent Solicitor failed to pay the Complainant’s outstanding fees, in the amount of $11,825.00, despite having received monies from the client (on or about 18 December 2018) which were exp…
Practitioner to undertake and complete further legal education Reprimand $0.00 About About the OLSC The Commissioner History Mission statement Structure Contact Contact the OLSC Give us your feedback: online surveys Access to information (GIPAA) Community information Information for lawyers Fact sheets FAQs Other regulatory and complaint-handling organisations Contact LawAccess NSW for legal information " You and Your Lawyer", Hot Topics 78 Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC), State Library of NSW , provides access to information about the law in NSW regarding your lawyer Privacy Copyright and Disclaimer Website accessibility View decision -
Michelle Cronin
In the matter of Michelle Cronin, a solicitor previously practising as Michelle Cronin Solicitors at Kennedy Buildings, 24 Main Street, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24 [2020/DT13 and High Court record 2022 no 3SA] Law Socie…
conditions View decision -
James (Seamus) Doody
In the matter of James (Seamus) Doody, solicitor, practising in Doody Solicitors, 21 South Mall, Cork, and in the matter of an application by the Law Society of Ireland to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal [6285/DT17…
strike_off View decision -
Maurice B O’Sullivan
In the matter of Maurice B O’Sullivan, a solicitor practising as Maurice O’Sullivan & Company Solicitors, at 9 Colbert Street, Listowel, Co Kerry, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2015 [2017/DT24, 2017/DT38…
strike_off View decision -
Michael Doody
In the matter of Michael Doody, solicitor, principal at Doody Solicitors, 21 South Mall, Cork, and in the matter of an application by the Law Society of Ireland to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal [2017/DT85 and 201…
other View decision -
Harold Anthony Newell
Breaches, Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules
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Stephen Anthony Hogan
Breaches, Client Money, Failures, Solicitors' Accounts Rules
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Neil Corbett
In the matter of Neil Corbett, a solicitor formerly practising as principal of Neil Corbett Solicitors, Davis Building, Lower Main Street, Mallow, Co Cork, and in the matter of an application by the Law Society of Irela…
conditions View decision -
Imelda Leahy
In the matter of Imelda Leahy, a solicitor formerly practising as Imelda Leahy and Company, Solicitors, Kilree Street, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, and in the matter of an application by the Law Society of Ireland to the So…
strike_off View decision -
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John Mark McFeely
In the matter of John Mark McFeely, a solicitor previously practising as Hegarty & McFeely Solicitors at 10 Queen Street, Derry BT48 7EX, Northern Ireland, and at 27 Clarendon Street, Derry BT48 7EX, Northern Ireland, a…
strike_off View decision -
Howard A. Lettman
Struck off | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered February 05, 2018. || Guilty of Professional Misconduct | Disciplinary Committee decision delivered June 24, 2017. View PDF HAZEL HANSON vs HOWARD LETTMAN SANCTIONS…
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Daniel (Donal) Downes
In the matter of Daniel (Donal) Downes, a solicitor formerly practising as O’Dea & Company, Solicitors, 1st floor, Hardiman House, Eyre Square, Galway, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011 [4298/DT46/14; 4…
strike_off View decision -
Claire Keaney
In the matter of Claire Keaney, a solicitor previously practising as Keaney & Company, Solicitors, at PO box 42, Pearse Park, Dundalk, Co Louth, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011 [7372/DT53/15, DT54/15,…
strike_off View decision -
Deirdre Fahy
In the matter of Deirdre Fahy, a solicitor previously practising as D Fahy & Associates, Solicitors, at 69 Main Street, Blackrock, Co Dublin, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011 [5471/DT163/15; DT164/15; …
strike_off View decision -
James (Seamus) G Doody
In the matter of James (Seamus) G Doody, practising as a partner in Doody Solicitors, 21 South Mall, Cork, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011 [6285/DT105/14, 6285/DT105/13, 6285/DT187/13 and High Court r…
conditions View decision -
Kieran Quill
In the matter of Kieran Quill, a solicitor formerly practising as principal of J Hodnett & Son, Solicitors, Nelson House, Emmet Place, Youghal, Co Cork, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011 [4513/DT112/14,…
strike_off View decision -
Michael Crawford
In the matter of Michael Crawford, a solicitor formerly practising as Michael Crawford, Solicitor, Lurganboy, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011 [5022/DT194/13; 5022/DT01/14; 5…
other View decision -
Edward A (otherwise Eamonn) Kelly
In the matter of Edward A Kelly (otherwise Eamonn Kelly), previously practising as Eamonn Kelly, Solicitor, at Iveragh Road, Killorglin, Co Kerry, and in the matter of the Solicitors Acts 1954-2011 [5754/DT47/14; DT48/1…
strike_off View decision
Duty classification does not yet cover every jurisdiction (Ontario, New Zealand and Singapore decisions are indexed but not yet duty-classified), so counts here understate those corpora.