The Law Society Gazette is the magazine for solicitors and aims to be fair, accurate and considerate. We want you to tell us when we make a mistake or if we get things wrong. We take all complaints seriously and are happy to correct inaccuracies.

We follow the National Union of Journalists (NUJ): Code of conduct. This page sets out what you need to know when making a complaint about editorial content in our publications and online services, or if you consider there has been a departure from that code.

1. How to complain

 You can contact us by emailing the Editor in Chief: paul.rogerson@lawsociety.org.uk or by writing to: The Law Society Gazette, 113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL.

You should provide:

About you:

  • your full name;
  • your email address;
  • your full postal address; and,
  • your telephone contact number.

Your personal data will used when we consider and investigate your complaint and to contact you, either to request further information from you or to send you a response. The legal basis for processing your personal data is legitimate interests for the management of queries and complaints. More information is available in our privacy policy.

About the complaint:

  • a copy of the article, or a link to the relevant webpage or a web address you are complaining about;
  • the date on which it appeared;
  • written details of your complaint;
  • any other documents that may help; and
  • you should also include details of your desired outcome, i.e how you would like your complaint to be resolved.

2. What does this procedure cover?

This procedure only applies to complaints about editorial content in our publications and online. It does not cover complaints;

  • from anyone not personally or directly affected by the subject matter of the complaint;
  • about advertising (as that is regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority);
  • about ‘user generated content’ which should be progressed under the terms of our acceptable use policy as outlined in Site terms (lawgazette.co.uk);
  • that are trivial, hypothetical, gratuitously abusive or offensive, or otherwise vexatious or insignificant; or
  • that are legal complaints.

3. How we deal with complaints

Complaints may be accepted up to 12 months from the date of the first publication of the relevant article.

4. What happens next?

We will acknowledge your complaint in writing within 5 working days of receipt. In return, you agree to respond promptly to any request we may make for further information.

If we receive multiple complaints about the same issue, we may provide one response to all complaints.

We will aim to provide a substantive response in writing within 28 days of receiving everything we need from you to allow us to investigate the complaint. Some complaints may take longer to process, and we will let you know if we need longer to investigate your complaint and provide a response, providing you with reasons for the delay and any revised timelines.

We will always treat you courteously and with respect. We expect the same from you.

5. Request a review

If you remain unhappy following our response, you can ask for your complaint to be reviewed. You should provide reasons for requesting the review and specify which aspects of the response to the complaint you are unhappy with and why.

We will usually ask a member of the Law Society’s executive team who has not been involved at the first stage to consider the review.

An acknowledgement and response will be provided using the same timescales as above. As with the first stage, we will tell you if additional time is required.

This review stage is the final stage of our internal complaints process.

We appreciate all feedback and are committed to responding to any complaint quickly and fairly.

Topics