Information on making a complaint
If you wish to make a complaint about a barrister, you should first read our information leaflet Guidance for complainants and barristers on the Bar Standards Board’s complaints process Guidance for complainants and barristers on the Bar Standards board's complaints processes. This leaflet explains how to make a complaint and will answer some questions you may have.
After you have read the leaflet, you will need to complete a Complaints form and send it to us with any supporting documents.
If you have any questions about how to make a complaint, would like a hard copy of the leaflet and complaint form, or you are unable to fill in the form for any reason, please phone the Complaints Information Line on 020 7611 1445.
On Wednesday 6 October 2010 the Legal Ombudsman (http://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/) will become operational. From this date all complaints from lay clients about barristers, solicitors, and some other types of legal professional should be directed to the Ombudsman’s office. The Ombudsman will deal with service complaints itself and will be able to award compensation of up to £30,000.00 against barristers. It will not investigate complaints of professional misconduct or be involved in the consideration of disciplinary issues. Neither will it consider complaints previously considered by the Bar Standards Board.
The Ombudsman’s office will refer all conduct issues relating to barristers to the Bar Standards Board. In relation to any complaints received by the Bar Standards Board on or after 6 October 2010 the Bar Standards Board will not be able to require the barrister complained of to pay compensation. The ordinary time limit for making a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman will be one year from the act/omission or one year from the date that the complainant should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint without taking advice from a third party.
Until 6 October 2010 when the Legal Ombudsman’s Office will be able to receive complaints, any complaints about barristers relating to service and/or conduct can be made direct to the Bar Standards Board. If a complaint is made to the Bar Standards Board prior to 6 October 2010 , it cannot subsequently be considered by the Legal Ombudsman’s office. Therefore, before making their complaint to the Bar Standards Board, lay clients who wish to complain about their barrister are advised to refer to the Legal Ombudsman’s website or contact the Ombudsman’s office on 0121 503 2930 for any further advice about how the Legal Ombudsman’s office will operate.
