The new Legal Ombudsman handled nearly 500 complaints on its launch day yesterday, taking its first call two minutes after opening at 8.30am while its chief executive was appearing on Radio 4's Today programme.

Of 497 potential cases, more than 20 are already being investigated, chief ombudsman Adam Sampson (pictured) said last night. He was unable to say how many complaints were about solicitors, but did reveal that barristers and even a notary had been the subject of calls.

The total equates to an annual call volume of 130,000, some 30,000 more than anticipated, though the daily volume is expected to level off following the burst of publicity which has accompanied the launch.

Sampson gave an insight into the ombudsman's proactive way of working at a launch event attended by leading legal figures and media at the organisation's central Birmingham HQ. One caller complained that his solicitor was unable to attend a key court hearing relating to a property as he was on holiday, putting the client's house at risk, and that calls to the legal firm seeking alternative representation had proved fruitless. A call to the firm by the ombudsman swiftly resolved the matter, Sampson said.

Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly gave the government's seal of approval for the ombudsman in a speech at last night's event, paying a visit from the Conservative Party conference taking place nearby. Attorney general Dominic Grieve was also present.

The ombudsman has assumed responsibility for handling complaints from the Law Society's Legal Complaints Service, which will run down its existing caseload over the next few months.

Meanwhile, it is understood that the Solicitors Regulation Authority is considering moving into the same refurbished office block as the ombudsman, close to Birmingham's Victoria Square. The Midlands-based SRA wants to consolidate its operations on to one site.