Govt revives plan for legal services ombudsman
The Government has reportedly announced plans to bring forward legislation establishing an ombudsman for legal services.
The move was first proposed by former Minister for Justice Michael McDowell last year, but it never materialised.
Reports this morning say it has now been revived following the controversy surrounding the activities of a number of solicitors who have found themselves before the courts due to multi-million euro debts.
The ombudsman would not be an independent regulator, but would have the power to oversee the handling of complaints by the Law Society and the Bar Council.
It would also hear appeals from their disciplinary committees and monitor entry to the professions.
