Concerns raised over Legal Ombudsman fee hike
Summary
The Law Society has criticised proposed increases to Legal Ombudsman case fees, arguing that the changes could unfairly shift the cost of complaints handling onto legal service providers. The consultation on the Office for Legal Complaints’ proposed Scheme Rules changes has closed, with concerns raised about proportionality, access to justice and the impact on smaller firms.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors who provide regulated legal-adjacent services, or work closely with conveyancers and complaint-sensitive transactions, should note potential cost pressures and behavioural changes in the complaints process. Any shift in complaint-handling economics can affect professional risk management, dispute resolution and client service standards across the property sector.
Key points
- Proposed Legal Ombudsman case fees would rise from £400 to £600.
- An investigation fee of £750 and an ombudsman decision fee of £1,500 are also proposed.
- The Law Society says the reforms may unfairly burden legal service providers rather than address underlying complaints-system issues.
- Concerns were raised that smaller practices and legal aid providers could be disproportionately affected.
- The Law Society is calling for further engagement and detailed equality and cost-benefit assessments.
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