Complaints Against Solicitors Conference

Most people consulting a solicitor are satisfied with the service that they have received. However, on occasion, clients will not be happy with that service and wish to make a complaint. This can be a stressful and upsetting time for those involved and can be a lengthy process with little support. Legal Services Agency is delighted to announce their in-person conference which will outline and discuss the process of complaints in addition to the impact on those involved. The conference will take place in-person on the 2nd of December 2024 and aims to provide delegates with an insight into the available resources to them in addition to a more extensive knowledge of how the complaints procedure works.

Conference: 10am to 1pm (Registration and Coffee 9.30am)

CPD 3 hours

PEAT Outcome - Relevant legal knowledge

OBJECTIVES

The conference will examine and discuss the following topics –

• File and Risk Management - a Brief History of Complaint Handling
• Effective engagement - suggestions on how more effective engagement can boost business, minimise complaints, and help lawyers to navigate the regulatory processes
• The emotional impact of those in the investigation and disciplinary process

DELEGATES

This conference is aimed at trainees, solicitors and those working within the legal industry.

SPEAKERS

William Macreath, Chairman, Levy & McRae and Chairman, Legal Defence Union

William (Bill) Macreath 48 years in private practice. He acts in regulatory matters for other professionals.

Susan Williams, Best Practice Adviser, Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

Susan qualified and worked overseas, in a varied career that has included in-house work, legal education, parliamentary reporting and analysis, and work across a few different regulators, before joining the SLCC in 2017, where she is now Best Practice Adviser.

Trish McLellan is LawCare’s Director of Engagement

Admitted as a solicitor of England and Wales in 1989, she was a Family law practitioner in the north-east of England prior to joining LawCare in January 2005. Trish has a breadth of experience of the support LawCare provides and was the staff lead on LawCare’s Life in the Law research study and reverse mentoring pilot scheme; she regularly speaks about mental health at legal events.

LawCare is the mental health charity for the legal sector, offering free, confidential, emotional support, peer support, and information to people working in law. LawCare also advocates for improvements in mental health practices within legal workplaces, and actively leads cultural transformation through education, training, and research.

LawCare offers a safe and confidential space to talk, without judgement. All LawCare’s helpline volunteers and staff have experience in the legal sector and understand its particular pressures.

If you need support call 0800 279 6888, email [email protected] or go to www.lawcare.org.uk to access online chat and other resources.

PROGRAMME

9.30-10.00 Registration and refreshments

10.00-11.00 File and Risk Management - a Brief History of Complaint Handling; William Macreath

11.00-11.15 Tea/Coffee

11.15-12.00 Effective engagement - suggestions on how more effective engagement can boost business, minimise complaints, and help lawyers to navigate the regulatory processes; Susan Williams

12.00-12.45 The emotional impact of those in the investigation and disciplinary process; Trish McLellan

12.45-1.00 Q&A

Host or Publisher Legal Services Agency Ltd