Caseloads and Outcomes 2004/2005

Below are the cumulative quarterly casework statistics.

Table 1 shows the incoming cases.

Table 2 shows the turnaround times from the Professional Body’s file on the relevant case being received in the Office.

Table 3 shows the percentage of cases (broken down by Professional body) where the case resulted in a recommendation (reconsideration and/or compensation); formal criticism; or no recommendation.

Table 4 shows the average compensation received by those who had a recommendation of compensation.

Table 1

	Apr - June 2004	Apr - Sep 2004	Apr - Dec 2004	Apr 2004 - Mar 2005
Incoming Cases	399	869	1,231	1,743

Table 2

Turn around times of cases from the receipt of the Professional Body's file	Apr - Jun 2004		Apr - Sep 2004		Apr - Dec 2004		Apr 2004 - Mar 2005
	No. of reports	%	No. of reports	%	No. of reports	%	No. of reports	%
0-3 months	250	92.3%	499	84.4%	572	62.7%	782	53.8%
4-6 months	19	7.0%	89	15.1%	337	37.0%	656	45.2%
7+ months	2	0.7%	3	0.5%	3	0.3%	15	1.0%

Table 3

	Apr - Jun 2004	Apr - Sep 2004	Apr - Dec 2004	Apr 2004 - Mar 2005
LAW SOCIETY
Recommendation (Reconsideration* and/or compensation)	30.1%	30.1%	33.4%	***31.2%
Formal critisism**	7.9%	6.0%	6.3%	****5.5%
No recommendation	62%	63.9%	60.3%	62.0%
BAR COUNCIL
Recommendation (Reconsideration* and/or compensation)	17.2%	19.2%	13.7%	14.4%
Formal criticism**	13.8%	11.6%	5.5%	*****6.3%
No recomendation	69.0%	69.2%	80.7%	78.7%

* The Ombudsman may recommend that the professional body reconsider a case if she believes that their investigation was inadequate in some way (e.g. issues were overlooked, or the decision was wrong). A reconsideration may result in the professional body providing a remedy to the complainant.

**When the Ombudsman considers that the inadequacy in the professional body’s investigation is not sufficiently serious to justify further action on their part, she may instead make a formal criticism of the professional body.

*** Does not include Lawyer Compensation 0.1% and Order against Lawyer 0.1%.

**** Does not include Criticism of Lawyer 0.2%.

***** Does not include Criticism of Lawyer 0.6%.

Between April 2004 and March 2005 there were 9 cases brought to the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman about the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, 6 resulted in a recommendation (reconsideration and/or compensation) and 3 resulted in no recommendation. Between April 2004 and March 2005 there were no cases brought to the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman about the Institute of Legal Executives or the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents.

Table 4

	Apr - Jun 2004	Apr - Sep 2004	Apr - Dec 2004	Apr 2004 - Mar 2005
Average Compensation Award	£399	£405	£408	£408