Caseloads and Outcomes 2005/2006

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 2005 Apr - Sep 2005 Apr - Dec 2005 Apr 05 - Mar 06
Incoming Cases 222 760 1244 1664

Table 2
Turn around times of cases from the receipt of the Professional Body's file Apr - Jun 2005 Apr - Sep 2005 Apr - Dec 2005 Apr 05- Mar 06
  No. of
reports 		% No. of reports % No. of
reports 		% No. of
reports 		%
0-3 months 164 39.5% 499 54.4% 809 58.3% 1195 63%
4-6 months 213 51.3% 378 41.2% 528 38.1% 661 34.2%
6+ months 38 9.1% 40 4.4% 50 3.6% 53 2.8%


Table 3
  Apr - Jun 2005 Apr - Sep 2005 Apr - Dec 2005 Apr 05 - Mar 06
LAW SOCIETY        
Recommendation
(Reconsideration* and/or compensation) 		31.9% 27.6% 29.6% 28.9%
Formal criticism** 5.9% 5.3% 4.6% 4.7%
No recommendation 61.9% 67.1% 65.8% 66.4%
BAR COUNCIL        
Recommendation
(Reconsideration* and/or compensation) 		13.5% 10.3% 9.6% 10.2%
Formal criticism** 0% 1.0% 2.2% 1.6%
No recommendation 86.5% 88.7% 88.2% 88.2%

* 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.

Between April 2005 and March 2006 there were 18 cases brought to the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman about the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, 12 resulted in a recommendation, 4 resulted in no recommendation and 2 resulted in a criticism. Between April 2005 and March 2006 there were no cases brought to the Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman about the Institute of Legal Executives, Chartered Institute of Patent Agents or the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys.

Table 4
  Apr - Jun 2005 Apr - Sep 2005 Apr - Dec 2005 Apr 2005 - Mar 2006
Average Compensation Award £378 £409 £430 £431