The embryonic Office for Legal Complaints has announced that its first chief ombudsman will be Adam Sampson (pictured), currently chief executive of housing and homelessness charity Shelter.

Elizabeth France, OLC chair, said: ‘The chief ombudsman will play a critical role in building the new disputeresolution system that consumers of legal services have long required. Adam brings a strong background in organisational development combined with direct and relevant experience of the broad range of issues faced by some of the most vulnerable consumers of legal services.’

She added: ‘His previous experience as an ombudsman makes him uniquely well-placed to lead the establishment of the OLC. I am delighted, on behalf of the OLC, to welcome him to the role.’

Sampson, who was previously assistant prisons ombudsman, will take up his new post on 1 July. The OLC wil become fully operational by the end of 2010.

Sampson said: ‘The six or more years I have spent in Shelter have been some of the most satisfying - and challenging - of my life. Shelter has and always will be very important to me and I always knew that it would take a special job to tempt me away.

‘The prospect of being in a position to set up and lead a new organisation which will help to protect consumer interests and drive improvements through our legal services is too exciting to turn down.’

Des Hudson, Law Society chief executive, said: ‘I welcome the appointment of Adam Sampson as the first chief ombudsman of the OLC. The Law Society has worked with Mr Sampson in his role as chief executive of Shelter and we look forward to continuing to work constructively with him in his new role, which will play a critical part in building a new dispute resolution system. Adam and Elizabeth can be assured of my support in developing their plans for the OLC.’