A budget increase of 12.1% to meet rising demand and pay for transformation is among the options proposed by the legal complaints handler for next year. A draft 2026/27 business plan and budget published by the Office for Legal Complaints proposes hefty increases in the legal ombudsman’s budget to deal with an ‘unprededented’ level of complaints about lawyers. 

The plan, open for consultation, commits the ombudsman to:

  • Resolving over 10,000 complaints – a 50% increase since 2019/20. 
  • Carrying out a 'scheme transformation review to explore radical options for reform'. 
  • Continued investment in AI and digital solutions to improve efficiency. 
  • Holding the case fee at £400 pending a ‘root and branch’ review. 

The recommended 12.1% increase on this year’s £20 million budget would emable the organisation to meet rising demand and fund transformation, the plan states. 

According to the Office for Legal Complaints, LeO is receiving unprecedented numbers of complaints: in the first half of 2025/26, the volume rose 26% higher than the same period last year. 

Introducing the plan, Elisabeth Davies, chair of the office for legal complaints, says 'LeO has transformed its service. These gains have been hard-won and must not be lost. But with complaints continuing to rise rapidly, LeO must be radical again and find new ways to meet growing demand.'

Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the draft plan by 1200 on 16 December 2025.