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Legal Services Ombudsman and Legal Services Complaints Commissioner Welcomes New Legal Services Act

The Legal Services Ombudsman and Legal Services Complaints Commissioner, Zahida Manzoor CBE, has welcomed the new Legal Services Act which received Royal Assent on 30 October 2007.

Commenting on the new legislation, she said:

“It has been a long and sometimes difficult road, but finally the reforms can start to become a reality for the consumer and for the legal profession. This new Act brings in much heralded changes to how legal services will be delivered and regulated and how complaints will be handled. As a contributor to Sir David Clementi’s review and an enthusiast for the blueprint he set out, I am pleased to see the changes become law.”

Speaking of the new bodies which will be created by the Act, Ms Manzoor said:

“I look forward to a truly new and independent Office for Legal Complaints. This is a chance for a fresh start for legal complaints handling – something I have advocated for a very long time.

“The legal profession in England and Wales enjoys an unrivalled reputation for the quality of its work. It has nothing to fear from a Legal Services Board, which can help uphold and promote high standards. The profession should welcome its new regulator as an organisation that can only enhance its reputation.

“It is essential that the OLC and LSB are the guardians of fairness, transparency and impartiality for both the legal services consumer and the legal practitioner who provides the service.”

Ms Manzoor also welcomed Alternative Business Structures that will be created under the Act:

“This should see greater competition and raising of standards in the provision of legal services.”