The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has produced new guidance aimed at keeping clients more informed about how to complain if they are not happy with their legal representation.

Working with the Bar Standards Board (BSB), the SRA has drawn up the guidance reminding solicitors that they have an obligation to inform clients of complaints procedures including passing on complaint information provided by barristers or enabling the barrister to pass that information on themselves.

The SRA have indicated that some clients are not being informed of their right to make a complaint about barristers.

Head of Supervision at the BSB, Oliver Hanmer, said:

“In the past, we know that many chambers have reported difficulties in relying on instructing solicitors to pass on this information to clients or to provide their contact details to chambers. We welcome the steps the SRA has taken to make this easier for solicitors and barristers alike. As a regulator with a duty to protect the public, making clients aware of their right to complain is paramount to ensuring confidence in the profession.”

Full details of the the new guidance can be found on the SRA web site (http://bit.ly/PYoFVg) whilst a series of articles about complaint handling generally can be found elsewhere on this web site (http://bit.ly/1oGxVZR)