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22/09/2005
Legal services and consumer rights reviewed
The regulation of the legal profession and the rights of consumers accessing legal services in Northern Ireland are to be examined in a wide-ranging review.
Announcing the consultation today on the Review of the Regulation of Legal Services, Finance Minister Jeff Rooker explained that its purpose is to ensure that the public has access to legal services that promote healthy competition while ensuring consumer protection.
"In the case of the legal professions in Northern Ireland, self-regulation has been the norm, although the Law Society's handling of complaints about solicitors has, for many years, been subject to oversight by the Lay Observer," Lord Rooker said.
"However, the Lay Observer's powers are limited. He or she can only make recommendations and cannot require action or award financial compensation.
"I acknowledge that complaints against legal services are lower in Northern Ireland than in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, but people here should have access to complaints procedures that are on a par with what is available elsewhere in the UK."
The Minister said that it is proposed to establish an independent Review Group, which will include representatives from the legal professions and consumer interests. The Group will also have the task of considering the regulatory principles developed by the Clementi review, a similar exercise conducted in England and Wales.
The Group is to be chaired by Sir George Bain and consultation will run until 6 January 2006.
(MB/SP)
Announcing the consultation today on the Review of the Regulation of Legal Services, Finance Minister Jeff Rooker explained that its purpose is to ensure that the public has access to legal services that promote healthy competition while ensuring consumer protection.
"In the case of the legal professions in Northern Ireland, self-regulation has been the norm, although the Law Society's handling of complaints about solicitors has, for many years, been subject to oversight by the Lay Observer," Lord Rooker said.
"However, the Lay Observer's powers are limited. He or she can only make recommendations and cannot require action or award financial compensation.
"I acknowledge that complaints against legal services are lower in Northern Ireland than in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, but people here should have access to complaints procedures that are on a par with what is available elsewhere in the UK."
The Minister said that it is proposed to establish an independent Review Group, which will include representatives from the legal professions and consumer interests. The Group will also have the task of considering the regulatory principles developed by the Clementi review, a similar exercise conducted in England and Wales.
The Group is to be chaired by Sir George Bain and consultation will run until 6 January 2006.
(MB/SP)
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