Bar acts on criticism

Three-quarters of people who complain about their barristers are very dissatisfied with the result of the investigation, according to an independent survey of the bar's complaints process.

The MORI survey, which questioned 269 complainants and 319 barristers, found that 74% of the public were dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaint, whereas 75% of barristers were 'very satisfied' with how the complaints had been resolved.

The report added that many complainants viewed the complaints process as 'created by lawyers for lawyers', and believed that 'lawyers look after their own'.

The Bar Council is considering several measures to overhaul the complaints procedure, including putting more lay members on the committees investigating complaints, allowing complainants to address committees in person, and better explaining how the system works.

The survey was released at the same time as the annual report from the Bar's Complaints Commissioner, Michael Scott, which found that the number of complaints against barristers dropped from 829 in 2001 to 743 last year.

Mr Scott attributed this to a campaign launched by the Bar Council in 2001 to ensure all barristers have proper indemnity cover.

Victoria MacCallum