Let them have it

It is clearly time somebody spoke up with a different view on complaints and the OSS.

The government has legislated for residual powers and as you say (see [2000] Gazette 13 July, 1) has fired a warning shot across the Law Society's bows.

I have got a great idea: let the government take the whole thing on lock stock and barrel.

If the Lord Chancellor wants to regulate solicitors, let him do so.The overwhelming fear seems to be the hypothetical one that an independent adjudicator would find more cases of shoddy work, would have a lower threshold than the current OSS and would impose penalties of a higher amount.

Why? This is not the case anywhere else.The greatest fear in connection with this matter will be the fear on the part of the LCD that they might have to fund a regulatory body.

So let the LCD get on with it.

It will be financially cheaper for us in both the short term and long term.

RB Wrigley, Norrie Waite & Slater, Sheffield